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In ten years time: improving outcomes for people with mental ill-health, learning disability, developmental disorders or neuro-diverse conditions in the criminal justice system
- Authors:
- CENTRE FOR MENTAL HEALTH, REVOLVING DOORS AGENCY
- Publishers:
- Centre for Mental Health, Revolving Doors Agency
- Publication year:
- 2019
- Pagination:
- 28
- Place of publication:
- London
This report summarises the progress that has been made since the publication of the Bradley Report in 2014, which made recommendations to improve support for people with mental health problems and learning disabilities in contact with the criminal justice system. It covers the areas of: early identification, arrest and prosecution; courts; sentencing; prison and resettlement. The report also outlines the additional changes needed over the next 10 years and makes ten recommendations. It calls on the Government to adopt a common, comprehensive definition of vulnerabilities across the criminal justice pathway; develop a comprehensive protocol to screening, assessment, information sharing and care across the whole system; transfer to the NHS the commissioning of police custody healthcare; resource the Liaison and Diversion services; ensuring Courts are not able to send people to immediate custody or to a community sentence in the absence of a relevant court report; invest in effective community sentences; restrict the use of short prison sentences; and implement reforms proposed in the Independent Mental Health Act Review regarding prison transfers. (Edited publisher abstract)
Mental health care and the criminal justice system
- Author:
- CENTRE FOR MENTAL HEALTH
- Publisher:
- Centre for Mental Health
- Publication year:
- 2011
- Pagination:
- 10p., bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- London
- Edition:
- Rev ed.
England and Wales together have one of the highest rates of imprisonment in Western Europe, and responsibility for prison health care lies with the NHS. It aims to give prisoners access to the same quality and range of health services as the general public receives in the community. This is an enormous challenge. Many prisoners have a combination of mental health problems, substance misuse and personality disorder, as well as a range of other issues to deal with. But the costs, both financial and social, of containing people in prison without access to appropriate health care are high. This briefing paper examines the provision of mental health care for adults in the criminal justice system. It looks at what has been achieved to date and identifies priorities for further work.
Preventing prison suicide: perspectives from the inside
- Authors:
- HOWARD LEAGUE FOR PENAL REFORM, CENTRE FOR MENTAL HEALTH
- Publisher:
- Howard League for Penal Reform
- Publication year:
- 2016
- Pagination:
- 8
- Place of publication:
- London
Focuses on the views and lived experience of those with current or past experience of prison, examining what contributes to vulnerability and risk of suicide. In 2014 there was a marked increase in suicides in English and Welsh prisons, when 89 prisoners took their own lives. This was the highest number of suicides since 2007. In 2015 another 89 prisoners took their own lives. The number of suicides in prisons has remained high for two years, and by the end of March 2016 there had already been 27 self-inflicted deaths in prisons. The report highlights that staff shortages have increased the risk of suicide and that relationships between staff and prisoners are key as prisoners need to feel supported, cared for and able to confide in and trust staff. Drawing on findings from focus groups with both current and former prisoners, the briefing reports that prisoners described a culture where, on the whole, distress was not believed or responded to with compassion. In particular, arrival, being released and transferred were all cited as times when prisoners felt most vulnerable. Staff inexperience and lack of training around mental health were seen as a significant factor in increasing risk while mental health services in prison were mainly seen by prisoners as providers of medication. Conversely, wellbeing groups, the chaplaincy and imams, peer mentor schemes and listening schemes were perceived as helpful. The briefing argues that change needs to happen across the system to recognise the influence of the prison environment on people’s vulnerability. Prisons should be enabling environments, striving to be a psychologically informed environment with an emphasis on the quality of relationships. (Edited publisher abstract)