A national survey of current discharge planning and aftercare arrangement practices for those returned to prison from secure psychiatric services in England and Wales.

Background: Little is known about the transition process for those returned to prison following treatment in secure psychiatric services. This study is the first internationally to explore the process of discharge/aftercare planning for this population.

Aim: To identify the current national discharge and aftercare planning procedures for people returned to prison in England and Wales.

Methods: A national survey of current service discharge planning and aftercare arrangement practices in low- and medium-secure psychiatric services and prison mental health teams in England and Wales.

Results: We had a 72% response rate across prison-based and secure mental health services. A summative contents analysis highlighted that outstanding priority areas for improvement, include (a) relationship building to improve communication and understanding between secure psychiatric services, prison mental health services, and the prison estate and (b) significant reform and additional resources to achieve the expected standard of care and to provide people returned to prison with a care package tailored to meet their specific needs.

Conclusion: Effective care planning and management of return to prison from secure psychiatric services has the potential to improve patient health and well-being in prison and up to and beyond their subsequent prison release, with far-reaching effects on prevention of relapse, hospital readmission, reoffending and other adverse events.