Around 700 offenders in Wales will be told to attend treatment when they are handed a community sentence by the courts.
The £1.1 million initiative, funded by the UK Government, is part of an effort to reduce the £18 billion cost of reoffending to taxpayers.
Wrexham’s Member of Parliament, Sarah Atherton MP, has welcomed the initiative - run by G4S with Forensic Psychology Consultancy.
It will see offenders assessed by mental health practitioners before sentencing – helping to determine what help is needed - and reduce the time it takes for them to start treatment.
Ms Atherton sits on HMP Berwyn’s Employment Advisory Board, which focuses on the rehabilitation of offenders.
Since Ms Atherton’s election in 2019, she has been closely involved with HMP Berwyn in supporting the rehabilitation of offenders. The board brings together prison leaders, local businesses, and stakeholders to find and provide those in HMP Berwyn with employment opportunities, to reduce reoffending.
Sarah Atherton MP commented: “This £1.1 million UK Government scheme isn't just about tackling crime; it's about tackling its root causes. By prioritising mental health, this scheme is not only speeding up treatment for offenders but most importantly, safeguarding our communities."
Regional Probation Director for Wales, Nic Davies, said: “This investment is a significant boost for mental health support in Wales and will make it easier for the Probation Service to supervise offenders through their sentence and become a law-abiding member of society.”
The new service follows a successful pilot in Swansea which has been running since August 2021. The pilot found that 80 per cent of offenders who took part in this type of community order experienced a significant benefit to their mental health.