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More offenders with mental health needs could be given community sentences and mental health support instead of prison under government proposals published today.

The Cabinet Office review, Building on Progress: Security, Crime and Justice, suggests that specialist “hybrid” prisons for the most serious offenders with significant mental health problems could be used for people who have not been transferred to secure hospitals.

It also proposes the creation of specialist courts to deal solely with offenders with severe mental health problems, and improved drug rehabilitation for offenders with drug problems.

The review’s other measures include more early intervention for children at risk and the same level of support from councils for young offenders on their release from custody as care leavers.

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