Our experts

Our researchers and research professionals are committed to improving healthcare outcomes for people in custody. Meet some of our experts and learn about the projects they're leading to advance patient care.

Justice Health researchers
Dr Leigh Haysom

Dr Leigh Haysom

Dr Leigh Haysom is a Senior Lecturer with Monash University and Western Sydney University. She's a qualified Paediatrican, Epidemiologist and Medical Administrator with a PhD in public health and Indigenous health.

Her research projects are focused on improving health outcomes for young people in custody in NSW including Indigenous chronic disease, disability, advocacy and health equity and access.

Current projects

  1. Vaping and smoking behaviours in young people entering custody. 
  2. Sexual identity and transgender status in young people in custody.
  3. Ear health and hearing of young people in custody.  
  4. The cumulative disadvantages of denying Medicare access to young people in custody.  
  5. Implementing voluntary assisted dying pathways for terminally ill patients in custody in NSW.
A/Prof John Kasinathan

Associate Professor John Kasinathan

A/Prof Dr John Kasinathan is a senior forensic, child and adolescent psychiatrist and Conjoint Associate Professor with UNSW Medicine. He is a Fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (FRANZCP), certified in both forensic psychiatry and child and adolescent psychiatry.

His expertise includes the assessment and management of psychiatric conditions in children, adolescents and adults; including mood disorders, anxiety, psychosis, PTSD, ADHD, personality vulnerabilities, sexual deviant disorders, autism and issues related to intellectual disability.   

Current projects

  1. Analysing post youth justice release psychiatric hospitalisations.
  2. Adolescent court diversion and reduced re-offending.
  3. Serial analysis of mental disorders in young offenders over time.
  4. ADHD comorbidity in young offenders. 
Prof Kimberlie Dean

Professor Kimberlie Dean

Professor Kimberlie Dean is a medical doctor, qualified as a Forensic Psychiatrist. She is also an academic, leading research and education programs in forensic mental health.

Professor Dean's research program uses a psychiatric epidemiology and clinical research approach, using population-based record linkage and clinical datasets to understanding links between mental illness and risk of contact with the criminal justice system. Her research also evaluates the effectiveness of health services and interventions that are intended to improve outcomes for those in custody.

Current projects

  1. Developing and testing an effective model of care for First Nations peoples with mental illness who are released from prison
  2. Examining outcomes from mental health court diversion programs, forensic mental health secure services and screening for mental illness of those entering prison.

Our research and ethics approval

At Justice Health NSW, we work with our staff and external partners to advance research in prisoner and forensic mental health. Learn about our research principles and guidelines, our current projects and how to get ethics approval.
 

Justice Health Patient experiences qualitative study

Contact Justice Health NSW Research

More options to contact us.

Research Governance and Ethics Officer: 
JHFMHN-Ethics@health.nsw.gov.au

General research enquiries: 
JHFMHN-ResearchUnit@health.nsw.gov.au

Phone: (02) 9700 3000

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