scholarly journals Mildly mentally handicapped offenders: an alternative to custody

1993 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 199-201 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine Johnson ◽  
Jeanette Smith ◽  
Geoff Stainer ◽  
Martin Donovan
Keyword(s):  
Mentally Ill ◽  
Justice System ◽  
Psychiatric Treatment ◽  
Penal System ◽  
Mentally Disordered Offenders ◽  
Mentally Handicapped ◽  
Home Office ◽  
Mentally Disordered ◽  
Medium Security ◽  
Special Hospitals

Concern is increasingly being expressed about the lack of provision for mentally disordered offenders, who by default end up within the penal system. Gunn et al (1991) in a study of sentenced prisoners identified a significant number who were mentally disordered to be in need of psychiatric treatment. Among these, 0.4% were considered to be mentally handicapped. Recent reports have emphasised the importance of diverting these individuals from the criminal justice system (Woolf & Tumin, 1991; Home Office, 1990; British Medical Association, 1990). However, the majority of such offenders do not fulfil the criteria for admission to hospital under the Mental Health Act 1983. Most are not overtly mentally ill and do not require treatment in conditions of medium security such as exist in regional secure units. However, it is not clear what provision there should be for such individuals. Smith (1988) described an open forensic unit for mildly mentally handicapped offenders (the Leander Unit). She concluded that there was a need for a specialised service to cater for these patients, who were neither appropriately nor adequately provided for by the general psychiatric services, the mentally handicapped services, regional secure units or special hospitals. Unfortunately, in practice there are very few facilities for this group of patients.

Offenders with Mental Illness in Prison

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah M. Manchak ◽  
Robert D. Morgan
Keyword(s):  
Mental Illness ◽  
Mentally Ill ◽  
Justice System ◽  
Mental Illnesses ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Mentally Disordered Offenders ◽  
Prison Management ◽  
Mentally Disordered ◽  
Prison Environment ◽  
Offenders With Mental Illness

This essay describes trends in the number of mentally disordered offenders in prison and the unique challenges posed by them in terms of prison management and service delivery. The essay first explores why persons with mental illnesses are overrepresented in the criminal justice system, then discusses efforts to rehabilitate this population should not take place within the prison environment (and, if they do, what changes in current practices are necessary to adapt to the prison setting). How the challenges posed by mentally ill inmates are managed is also covered, with critical discussions of these strategies. Finally, an analysis of the changes that are needed to improve conditions for inmates with mental illness in prisons is presented, with a description of one promising program for treating these offenders. Suggestions for future research with this population that will help inform and improve prison conditions for offenders with mental illness are also provided.

Referrals to an out-patient forensic psychology service

1992 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 222-223 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. A. Hambridge
Keyword(s):  
Community Care ◽  
Slow Growth ◽  
Mentally Disordered Offenders ◽  
Home Office ◽  
Mentally Disordered ◽  
Main Emphasis ◽  
Medium Security ◽  
Psychology Service ◽  
Patient Work ◽  
Forensic Psychiatric

Following the recommendations of the Butler Report (Home Office, 1975), there has been a slow growth in the number of Regional Secure Units (RSUs) (Snowden, 1985), which aim to assess and treat mentally disordered offenders in England and Wales in conditions of “medium security”. One particular recommendation of the Butler Report was that:“The main emphasis in forensic psychiatric services … should be on community care and out-patient work.” (paragraph 20.14)

Forensic psychiatry

2019 ◽  
pp. 721-784
Author(s):  
David Semple ◽  
Roger Smyth
Keyword(s):  
Forensic Psychiatry ◽  
Justice System ◽  
Criminal Responsibility ◽  
Mentally Disordered Offenders ◽  
Sexual Offences ◽  
Mentally Disordered ◽  
Legal Provisions ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Court Liaison

Covering the role of the psychiatrist in forensic situations, from participation in the criminal justice system and legal definitions of crime (including homicide, violence, and sexual offences) to the relationship between mental disorders and offending, this chapter addresses secure hospitals and units, police and court liaison, and the role of the prison psychiatry. Legal provisions and how to give evidence in court are described, and an overview of pathways through the criminal health and justice system for mentally disordered offenders is provided. Fitness to plead and criminal responsibility are both explained.

scholarly journals Patients in Broadmoor Hospital from the South Western region: an audit of transfer procedures

1991 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 81-84 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeanette Smith ◽  
Martin Donovan ◽  
Harvey Gordon
Keyword(s):  
Psychiatric Hospitals ◽  
Home Office ◽  
Mentally Disordered ◽  
The Public ◽  
Maximum Security ◽  
Hospital Patients ◽  
Male Patients ◽  
Transfer Procedures ◽  
Special Hospital ◽  
Special Hospitals

Broadmoor Hospital is one of the three special hospitals covering England and Wales. It provides approximately 500 beds for mentally disordered patients who on account of their dangerous, violent or criminal propensities constitute a grave and immediate danger to the public, requiring treatment in conditions of special security (Section 4, National Health Service Act, 1977). It is generally recognised, however, that there are patients in special hospitals no longer requiring treatment in conditions of maximum security. These patients could probably be more appropriately cared for elsewhere if the facilities existed in general psychiatric hospitals or the community. However, special hospital consultants frequently encounter significant obstacles when attempting to transfer patients to local hospitals. Dell (1980) highlighted this problem, suggesting that 16% of special hospital patients were waiting to leave, following the agreement of the DHSS and the Home Office to their transfer. This delay appeared to be due to hospitals not wanting to accept patients who might prove to be difficult or dangerous. At the time of this current study (March 1990) these difficulties in transferring patients were particularly relevant as two of the special hospitals, Broadmoor and Ashworth (Park Lane and Moss Side) were full for male patients and therefore closed to male admissions, despite a continuing demand for beds.

Regional Secure Units: The Creation of a Policy

1989 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 549-574
Author(s):  
David M. Torpy
Keyword(s):  
Mentally Ill ◽  
Historical Context ◽  
Policy Decision ◽  
Policy Formation ◽  
Formation Model ◽  
Home Office ◽  
History Of ◽  
The 1960S ◽  
Hospital Wards ◽  
Special Hospitals

ABSTRACTThis paper examines the historical context of the policy decision of the (then) DHSS in July 1974 to establish Regional Secure Units with an initial provision for 1,000 places. A brief examination of the history of the detention of the criminally insane and the setting up of the county asylums is followed by an examination of the various problems faced by the authorities concerned with the care of the criminally insane and the mentally ill in general in the 1960s. The paper examines the different streams of influence and power that converged upon this solution: government, special hospitals, public inquiries, unlocking of hospital wards, criminal law, DHSS and the Home Office, judges, voluntary bodies, prisons, psychiatrists and the official government reports known as the Glancy and the Butler Reports. The paper seeks to explain the policy decision to build regional secure units as a dynamic outcome arising from the confluence of opportunities, participants and solutions: a policy formation model put forward by March and Olsen (1976).

scholarly journals Invited commentary on The mental health of prisoners

2003 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 200-201
Author(s):  
Tony Maden
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
National Health Service ◽  
Health Service ◽  
Task Force ◽  
Mentally Disordered Offenders ◽  
Home Office ◽  
Mentally Disordered ◽  
Department Of Health ◽  
The Government

Psychiatrists have always been concerned about the mental health of prisoners. If they did not devote much energy to their treatment, it was only because they had more-pressing problems, including how to squeeze ten patients into nine beds. In any case, it was someone else's job to look after prisoners. Luke Birmingham's article (Birmingham, 2003, this issue) could not be more timely, as this situation has now changed. With the publication of The Future Organisation of Prison Healthcare (Prison Service & NHS Executive Working Group, 1999), and the creation of a joint Department of Health and Home Office task force, the Government has made it clear that the problem of mentally disordered offenders belongs to the National Health Service (NHS). There is a plan, there is a partnership and there are targets. Can those of us who have been worrying about prisoners with mental illness sit back and relax, as the solution unfolds?

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