Diversion lacking

Mental Health Nursing,  Jul 2005  

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There are not enough quality schemes to divert offenders with mental health problems out of the criminal justice system and into treatment according to Nacro.

Their recent survey, mapping court diversion and criminal justice mental health liaison schemes, found that many areas in England and Wales have no service provision at all, while others rely on just one lone worker usually a community psychiatric nurse. Survey respondents said that under-funding, along with the lack of clear government guidance in this area, was leading to serious gaps in service provision.

Less than a quarter of schemes had been evaluated since their establishment and three quarters cited lack of beds as a barrier to success.

Half had no sessional input from either a psychiatrist or a psychologist and 41% reported difficulties in obtaining psychiatric reports. A third said they were using the police station as their sole 'place of safety' for people detained.

Lucy Smith, Mental Health Policy Officer for Nacro, said: 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.' Visit: www.nacromentalhealth.org.uk/data/reso urces/nacro-2005042200.doc

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