Mental health training needs amongst staff of Probation Approved Premises: A comparison with mental health hostel staff in the voluntary sector

The recognition of significant levels of mental health need amongst people in contact with the criminal justice system has led to many new areas of partnership working between mental health and the criminal justice system. The training needs of staff within the criminal justice system in England and Wales is recognized as an important area for service development and has to date been largely unexplored. This article examines many of the issues as identified when comparing the mental health training needs and experiences of staff working in two forms of residential service - Probation Approved Premises and voluntary sector mental health services.