The feasibility of following up prisoners with mental health problems after release: a pilot trial employing an innovative system for engagement and retention in research with a harder-to-engage population

摘要

BackgroundFollowing up released prisoners is demanding, particularly for those prisoners with mental health problems, for whom stigma and chaotic lifestyles are problematic. Measurement of mental health outcomes after release is challenging. To evaluate mental healthcare for offender populations, using high-quality randomised controlled trials, evidenced-based methods must be developed to engage them while in custody, to locate and re-interview them after release, and to collect potentially stigmatising mental health outcomes data.