Search results for ‘Subject term:"mentally disordered offenders"’ Sort:
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The mental health needs of women detained in police custody
- Authors:
- SCOTT David, McGILLOWAY Sinead, DONNELLY Michael
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Mental Health, 18(2), April 2009, pp.144-151.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- London
This paper describes and appraises the work of a city centre Criminal Justice Liaison and Diversion (CJLD) service in relation to contact with female Mentally Disordered Offenders (MDOs). It describes the population of female detainees referred to the service by examining administrative outcomes and psychiatric assessment data. Two Community Mental Health Nurses (CMHNs) collected information on the mental health needs and service utilization of MDOs over a three-year period. Information on psychiatric history, offending history and recommended follow-up services is also presented. One-in-five (217/1089) detainees assessed by the service were female, 91% of whom had a mental illness. Two-thirds were “cases” on the GHQ whilst 58% attained “above threshold” BPRS scores; 43% and 54% respectively had a history of harming others or themselves. Most had previous contact with mental health services. The majority (59%) were referred to their GPs following assessment. it concludes that many women with mental illness are arrested and detained in police custody. The CJLD service effectively identified, assessed and linked the majority of female MDOs to services.
Mental illness in the UK criminal justice system: a police liaison scheme for Mentally Disordered Offenders in Belfast
- Authors:
- McGILLOWAY Sinead, DONNELLY Michael
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Mental Health, 13(3), June 2004, pp.263-275.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- London
This paper describes and appraises an inter-agency police liaison scheme for MDOs in Northern Ireland. The aim was to examine administrative outcomes and psychiatric assessment data (including some follow-up information) and to assess the views of service-users and key stakeholders. A battery of measures was devised to assess mental health status, drug and alcohol abuse and risk-related behaviour. Outcomes were assessed (as far as possible) within a prospective follow-up design including a survey of service professionals and interviews with MDOs. The performance of the scheme was measured using objective indicators. Ninety-one per cent of all assessed detainees (n = 382) were judged to have a mental health problem. Sixty-eight per cent were GHQ cases whilst 62% attained "above-threshold" BPRS scores; 48% and 53% respectively had a history of harming self or others. Improvements in mental health were recorded for MDOs who were linked to services and who could be followed up. The service was valued highly by service-users and key stakeholders. The scheme effectively identified, assessed and linked most MDOs to existing services. However, significant changes in mainstream mental health services are required before the full potential of the service can be realized.