News

There are insufficient schemes to divert offenders with mental health problems out of the criminal justice system and into appropriate health services, according to a report by Nacro published today, writes Clare Jerrom.

The research by the rehabilitation agency found that many areas in England and Wales had no service provision at all while others relied on one lone worker.

“The government needs to introduce a robust nationwide network of diversion and criminal justice mental health liaison schemes with ring-fenced money for the creation and maintenance of these schemes, and guidance on how to set up and run them,” said Lucy Smith, mental health policy officer for Nacro.

The survey found that:-

• 72 per cent of schemes cited a lack of beds as a barrier to their scheme operating successfully

• 34 per cent were using a police station as their sole “place of safety” for people detained

• A quarter had seen a decrease of staffing levels within the last year

Under-funding and a lack of clear guidance in this area was leading to serious gaps in service provision, the report concluded.

Report from http://www.nacromentalhealth.org.uk/mhu/