Mental Health in the Criminal Justice System: Investigating the Impact of Expert Witness Information in Court, and Perceived Barriers to Support in Prisons

Butcher, Georgia Danielle (2025) Mental Health in the Criminal Justice System: Investigating the Impact of Expert Witness Information in Court, and Perceived Barriers to Support in Prisons. Doctoral thesis, University of East Anglia.

Preview

PDF Download (5MB) | Preview

Abstract

Aim: The overall aim of the thesis portfolio was to investigate how mental health difficulties are conceptualised, presented, considered, and supported at differing stages of the criminal justice system. This is given the wider context of an overrepresentation of mental health difficulties at all stages of the criminal justice system, compounded by a lack of research and service development.

Method: The systematic review used thematic synthesis to analyse the findings of qualitative studies regarding the perceived barriers in males to accessing and utilising mental health support within prison. The empirical paper investigated the impact of the type of mental health information, psychiatric diagnosis and early traumatic experiences, presented by a mental health expert witness, on mock jurors’ perceptions of expert witness credibility, diminished responsibility judgements, and diminished responsibility decisions in an online mock criminal trial.

Results: The systematic review included 14 studies; the findings generated seven analytic themes and highlighted numerous barriers at individual, relational, systemic and cultural levels to males accessing and utilising mental health support within prison. The findings of the empirical paper suggested that the type of mental health information did not impact jurors’ expert witness credibility ratings, diminished responsibility judgements, or diminished responsibility decisions. However, jurors were more likely to make diminished responsibility decisions in line with a highly credible expert witness’ opinion.

Conclusions: The thesis portfolio highlights potential areas for development within prison mental health services. The importance of future research into expert witness credibility and juror decision-making, as well as continued research into the underexplored field of the potential influence of mental health information specifically, is also highlighted. Continued research could provide significant implications for the way in which mental health information is utilised within legal settings. Strengths, limitations, clinical implications and directions for future research regarding the work presented are discussed.

Item Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Norwich Medical School
Depositing User:	Chris White
Date Deposited:	21 Oct 2025 10:15
Last Modified:	21 Oct 2025 10:15
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/100730
DOI:

Downloads

Actions (login required)

View Item