An outcome evaluation of the National Model for Liaison and Diversion scheme in England, which identifies and supports people in the criminal justice system with health issues and vulnerabilities, using a novel, large-scale linked data set. This evaluation looks at the impact on health service utilisation, reconviction, diversion from the criminal justice system, and timeliness of court processes, as well their economic effects.

Outcome Evaluation of the National Model for Liaison and Diversion

Emma Disley, Evangelos Gkousis, Shann Corbett, Katherine I. Morley, Jack Pollard, Catherine L. Saunders, Jon Sussex, Alex Sutherland

ResearchPublished Apr 12, 2021

Liaison and Diversion (L&D) services identify and support people in the criminal justice system who have vulnerabilities such as mental and physical health issues and learning disabilities.

RAND's evaluation of the National Model for L&D was conducted at 27 sites in England using a novel, linked data set combining national level administrative data from both the healthcare and criminal justice sectors.

This evaluation examined the impact of the National Model for L&D on health service utilisation, reconviction, diversion from the criminal justice system and timeliness of court processes, as well as the economic effects of identified impacts.

Analyses conducted across the data sources consistently showed that L&D services are successfully engaging with a group of service users with a broad range of vulnerabilities, often at a time of acute crisis when they are most in need of support. The strongest effect appeared to be an increase in diversion from custodial sentences, although L&D services may also increase referrals to mental health and drug and alcohol treatment services.

There was no evidence of an impact on offending, but also no evidence that outcomes became worse due to L&D referral.

Key Findings

  • L&D services succeeded in engaging people with a broad range of vulnerabilities.
  • L&D services appear to intervene at a point of crisis.
  • L&D services appear to increase diversion from custodial sentences.
  • The interventions offered, and their uptake, varies by individual and by L&D site, and range from advice and brief interventions, to primary care referral, to detention for psychiatric assessment.
  • Following L&D referral, there is a short-term increase in referral to mental health services.
  • Drug and alcohol treatment referral and attendance may increase following L&D referral.
  • Referral to L&D services does not appear to reduce offending.
  • Court processes are not significantly affected by L&D services.
  • The L&D programme contributes to savings in the criminal justice system between £13.1 million and £41.5 million through diversion from custody and consequent increases in productivity.

Recommendations

  • L&D services could be improved through increased capacity for onward referrals.
  • Approaches could be added to support people who have multiple vulnerabilities but who are not currently eligible for onwards referral because no single vulnerability meets the required therapeutic threshold.

Topics

Document Details

Citation

RAND Style Manual
Disley, Emma, Evangelos Gkousis, Shann Corbett, Katherine I. Morley, Jack Pollard, Catherine L. Saunders, Jon Sussex, and Alex Sutherland, Outcome Evaluation of the National Model for Liaison and Diversion, RAND Corporation, RR-A1271-1, 2021. As of October 8, 2024: https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RRA1271-1.html
Chicago Manual of Style
Disley, Emma, Evangelos Gkousis, Shann Corbett, Katherine I. Morley, Jack Pollard, Catherine L. Saunders, Jon Sussex, and Alex Sutherland, Outcome Evaluation of the National Model for Liaison and Diversion. Santa Monica, CA: RAND Corporation, 2021. https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RRA1271-1.html.
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