By Fallon McCarthy Student Occupational Therapist

Transcription

1 By Fallon McCarthy Student Occupational Therapist

2 Western and Beckett (1999) state there is a direct negative link between imprisonment and subsequent employment, suggesting they are less likely to find employment due to; The stigma associated with criminal behaviour Disruption of normal social activities Prison institutionalization Poor educational attainments (Western and Beckett 1999)

3 To establish the Occupational Therapy role within a secure setting to enable participation. Government schemes want to increase the employability of offenders and develop skills as there is evidence to show employment is one of the most effective ways to reduce reoffending (Sainsbury Centre 2009). As Occupational Therapists we work to counteract social exclusion. It is therefore our duty as a profession to address exclusion of offenders (College of Occupational Therapists 2009).

4 Evidence supports that employment can contribute to a sense of identity, as well as physiological and psychological wellbeing (Mowbray et al 1995). Work involves all forms of productivity activity regardless of whether they are reimbursed (Stein and Cutler 2002). Christian et al s (1999) study highlighted those prison inmates who spent lack of time in productive roles was detrimental to their mental health and reintegration back into the community into the worker role.

5 Whiteford (1997)highlighted that rigid policy and practices contribute to an environment in which deprivation from occupation was the norm and historically used as form of punishment. There is a link between long term unemployment to social exclusion and on examination of the health of unemployed, suggests being out of work has a detrimental effect on health, particularly in the effects it has on peoples behaviours and habits (Department of Health 2004).

6 It is about skill and capacity building to support offenders into employment. Vocational rehabilitation may be directed towards employment; however, the outcome may be in the broad area of productivity (Department of Work and Pensions 2004). OT has a unique knowledge base of a balance of work, rest and play; an understanding of the person/ environment; has the ability to analyse task and job requirement. Awareness of skill and support needs of all key stakeholders which will enhance motivation to participate (COT 2009).

7 Worked based learning id defined as planed activity that uses the context of work to develop knowledge, skills and understanding useful work (Smith et al 2010). Evidence shows that there are benefits to WBL, such as structure to the day, giving role identity and contact with outside agencies offered opportunity to develop social skills (Davies and Rinaldi 2004). Studies suggest OT s have a key role in supporting offenders to establish meaningful productive roles through the use of tool s; offering a graded approach within WBL will help offenders to adapt easier into the community. Although employment prospects suggests support needs to be continued post release (Dunn and Seymour 2008).

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9 Christian, C., Backman, C. and Nguyen, A. (1999) Occupation and wellbeing: a study of personal projects. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 52(1), pp College of Occupational Therapy (2009). Occupational Therapy in Vocational Rehabilitation: A brief guide to current practice in the UK. London: College of Occupational Therapist. Davis, M. And Rinaldi, M. (2004) Using an evidence- based Approach to enable people with mental health problems to gain and retain employment, education and voluntary work. British Journal of occupational Therapy, 67(7), pp Department of health (2004). Choosing Health: Making healthier choices easier. Available at: webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/+/ PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/Browsable/DH_ (Accessed: 14th January 2011). Department for Work and Pensions (2004). Building Capacity to Work: A UK Framework for Vocational Rehabilitation. Available at: (Accessed: 14th January 2011). Dunn, C. and Seymour, A. (2008) Forensic Psychiatry and Vocational Rehabilitation: Where are We at?. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 71(10), pp Mowbray, C., Baybee, D., Harris, S. And McCrohan, N (1995) Predictors of work status and future work orientation in people with psychiatric disability. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal, 19(2), pp Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health (2009). Securing employment for offenders with mental health problems. Available at: (Accessed: 19th January 2011). Smith, A., Petty, M., Oughton, Iona. And Alexander, R. (2010) Establishing a work- based learning programme: vocational rehabilitation in a forensic learning disability setting. British Journal of Occupational Therapy. 73(9), pp Stein, F. And Cutler, S. (2002) Psychosocial Occupational Therapy: a holistic approach. 2 nd edn. Canada: Thompson Learning. Western, B. And Beckett, K. (1999) How unregulated is the US labour market?; The penal system as a labour market institution. American Journal of sociology, 104 (4), pp Whiteford, G. (1997) Occupational Deprivation and Incarceration. Journal of Occupational Science. 4(3), pp