| Subject: | Mental health |
| Topic: | Mental health and criminal justice |
| Year: | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 |
An article examined police attitudes to, and criteria for using, s136 of the Mental Health Act 1983 to detain individuals thought to be a danger to themselves or to others. It said that use of the authority had major implications for police work and that, although liaison with mental health services was seen as desirable, it was constrained by resources and lack of availability. The article considered the values that underlay decision making, and the policy implications.
Source: David Menkes and Gillian Bendelow, 'Diagnosing vulnerability and "dangerousness": police use of Section 136 in England and Wales', Journal of Public Mental Health, Volume 13 Number 2
Links: Abstract
Date: 2014-Jul
An article examined police attitudes to, and criteria for using, s136 of the Mental Health Act 1983 to detain individuals thought to be a danger to themselves or to others. It said that use of the authority had major implications for police work and that, although liaison with mental health services was seen as desirable, it was constrained by resources and lack of availability. The article considered the values that underlay decision making, and the policy implications.
Source: David Menkes and Gillian Bendelow, 'Diagnosing vulnerability and "dangerousness": police use of Section 136 in England and Wales', Journal of Public Mental Health, Volume 13 Number 2
Links: Abstract
Date: 2014-Jul
A report examined policy on crime and punishment in the United Kingdom and, in particular, the reliance on imprisonment, reasons behind the high prison population, and the possibilities for both reducing the number of people imprisoned, and the length of sentences. The report looked at changes in the use and practice of imprisonment in the United Kingdom over the previous twenty years and argued in favour of the reduction of the prison population, as well as offering a range of strategies to reduce reliance on imprisonment, including: diversion from the courts; greater use of alternative forms of sentence; prohibition or restriction of the imposition of short custodial sentences; removal or restriction of imprisonment as a sentencing option for certain offences; the review of sentence lengths; and the removal of people with mental illness or addictions from prisons.
Source: Rob Allen, Andrew Ashworth, Roger Cotterrell, Andrew Coyle, Antony Duff, Nicola Lacey, Alison Liebling, and Rod Morgan, A Presumption Against Imprisonment: Social order and social values, British Academy
Links: Report | British Academy press release
Date: 2014-Jul
An article examined police attitudes to, and criteria for, using s136 of the Mental Health Act 1983 to detain individuals thought to be a danger to themselves or to others. Drawing on focus groups with 30 police officers in urban and rural areas of three regions across England and Wales, it said that use of the power depended on social context and the particulars of individual cases, but resource constraints and a lack of service availability often meant that liaison with mental health services was ineffective. The authors noted the limitations of the research for generalization, but highlighted the implications of police responses and suggested that there were major implications for policy recommendations.
Source: Gillian Anne Bendelow and David Menkes, 'Diagnosing vulnerability and "dangerousness": police use of section 136 in England and Wales', Journal of Public Mental Health, Volume 13 Number 2
Links: Abstract
Date: 2014-May
An article examined the piloting of a new risk assessment screening tool, designed to identify police custody detainees who required the attention of a healthcare professional for the assessment of significant health problems. It said that a structured screen was able to improve the rate of identification of detainees with head injuries, physical and mental health problems, and those likely to suffer alcohol withdrawal syndrome, as well as those at risk of suicide.
Source: Iain McKinnon and Don Grubin, 'Evidence-based risk assessment screening in police custody: the HELP-PC study in London, UK', Policing, Volume 8 Issue 2
Links: Abstract
Date: 2014-May
A report examined liaison and diversion services in police stations and courts that aimed to identify and support people with mental health problems, learning difficulties, and other vulnerabilities, drawing on research with staff, service users, and partners in four liaison and diversion schemes in different areas of England. It said that most users of the services had at least moderate mental health problems and most had come into contact with the liaison services after committing offences. The past histories of the service users showed missed opportunities for intervention, and people had additional needs for help with issues such as housing, personal finances (including debt), benefits, and employment. It said that staff were knowledgeable and client-focussed, and good services linked with a range of organizations to build support packages, offered case management for people while they put support in place, and stayed in touch with people after they had moved on to other services. The report summarised the key aspects of successful services, and made a range of recommendations for service providers and commissioners.
Source: Graham Durcan, Keys to Diversion: Best practice for offenders with multiple needs, Centre for Mental Health
Links: Report | CMH press release
Date: 2014-May
An article compared aggressive behaviour and criminal convictions among men with severe mental illness of different ethnicities. It said that, relative to white British men with severe mental illness, black African men showed decreased risk of aggressive behaviour, and black Caribbean men showed elevated risk of convictions for non-violent, and marginally, for violent crimes. Proportionately more black African and black Caribbean men presented schizophrenia spectrum disorders, compared with white British men. But it was not possible to identify factors that would explain these differences.
Source: Matt Bruce, Deborah Cobb, Holly Clisby, David Ndegwa, and Sheilagh Hodgins, 'Violence and crime among male inpatients with severe mental illness: attempting to explain ethnic differences', Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, Volume 49 Number 4
Links: Abstract
Date: 2014-Apr
The government launched a consultation (in the form of a survey) as part of its review of the operation of Sections 135 and 136 of the Mental Health Act 1983. This legislation gave the police powers to remove temporarily people who appeared to be suffering from a mental health crisis and who needed urgent care in a 'place of safety', to facilitate assessment or treatment. The review would aim to determine whether changes to the legislation were needed in order to improve outcomes for those experiencing mental health crisis. The consultation would close on 3 June 2014.
Source: Review of the Operation of Sections 135 and 136 of the Mental Health Act 1983 in England and Wales: A survey, Department of Health/Home Office
Links: Consultation document | Section 135 | Section 136 | Code of Practice
Date: 2014-Apr
An article considered the role of joint interagency training in influencing the early identification and diversion of those with mental health conditions away from the criminal justice system and into appropriate mental health services.
Source: Lee-Ann Fenge, Sarah Hean, Sue Staddon, Andy Clapper, Vanessa Heaslip, and Eleanor Jack, 'Mental health and the criminal justice system: the role of interagency training to promote practitioner understanding of the diversion agenda', Journal of Social Welfare & Family Law, Volume 36 Number 1
Links: Abstract
Date: 2014-Mar
A report examined the needs of young adults (18 to 24 year olds) in contact with mental health and/or learning disability services and the criminal justice system. It identified core components of effective engagement with young adults, including: a primary focus on emotional well-being and communication difficulties; building consistent and continuous relationships, with 'open door' policies to capitalize on those relationships; services that were ex-offender or service user led, accessible, and available; and tailored, personalized support to meet individual needs, address offending behaviour, and connect them to resources and opportunities. The report made a range of recommendations.
Source: The Bradley Commission: Young adults (18-24) in transition, mental health and criminal justice, Briefing Paper 2, Centre for Mental Health
Links: Report | CMH press release
Date: 2014-Mar
An article examined the prevalence of self-harm among prisoners in England and Wales. It said that 5-6 per cent of male prisoners and 20-24 per cent of female inmates self-harmed every year, and repetition of such harm was particularly common in women and teenage girls. It said that prevalence varied by age, ethnicity, prison type, and sentence duration, and the article discussed clustering, and the risks of subsequent suicide. The article concluded that prevention and treatment of self-harm was essential for suicide prevention in prisons.
Source: Keith Hawton, Louise Linsell, Tunde Adeniji, Amir Sariaslan, and Seena Fazel, 'Self-harm in prisons in England and Wales: an epidemiological study of prevalence, risk factors, clustering, and subsequent suicide', The Lancet, Volume 383 Issue 9923
Links: Abstract | BBC report | Guardian report
Date: 2014-Mar
The Welsh Government began consultation on proposals to implement guidance for mental health services for prisoners in Wales. The consultation would close on 24 February 2014.
Source: Policy Implementation Guidance: Mental health services for prisoners in Wales, Welsh Government
Links: Consultation document
Date: 2014-Jan
A report examined the links between anti-social behaviour and mental health, and its impact in London boroughs. It said that mental health was widely recognised as related to ASB, that many boroughs reported an increasing impact, and that boroughs were firmly committed to supporting individuals with mental health needs, balancing this with the protection of communities and individuals. It said there was a range of promising practice in place, including examples of multi-agency triage that enabled appropriate care pathways to be identified. It discussed the need for further work.
Source: Anti-Social Behaviour and Mental Health, London Councils
Links: Report
Date: 2014-Jan
A government minister announced that an additional £25 million of funding would be made available to conduct a pilot of placing mental health nurses at police stations and courts. The nurses would provide an assessment of health needs, including mental health, which could be shared with police and the courts to help ensure that decisions on charging and sentencing took consideration of an individual's health needs. The ten pilot areas announced were: Merseyside; London; Avon and Wiltshire; Leicester; Sussex; Dorset; Sunderland and Middlesbrough; Coventry; South Essex; and Wakefield. The pilots would be evaluated and if successful, extended to the rest of the country by 2017.
Source: Press release 6 January 2014, Department of Health/Home Office
Links: DH/HO press release | Turning Point press release | BBC report | Guardian report
Date: 2014-Jan
A report for the Greater London Authority estimated the extent and impact of mental ill health in London. It said that almost £7.5 billion was spent each year in areas such as health and social care, benefits to support people living with mental ill health, and costs to education and criminal justice. Once indirect costs, such as lost productivity and reduced quality of life, were added, the report estimated the total cost to be £26 billion each year.
Source: The London Mental Health Report, Greater London Authority
Links: Report | GLA press release
Date: 2014-Jan