Abstract
Background: This paper describes and appraises the work of a city centre Criminal Justice Liaison and Diversion (CJLD) service in relation to contact with female Mentally Disordered Offenders (MDOs).
Aims: To describe the population of female detainees referred to the service by examining administrative outcomes and psychiatric assessment data.
Method: Two Community Mental Health Nurses (CMHNs) collected information on the mental health needs and service utilization of MDOs over a three-year period. Information on psychiatric history, offending history and recommended follow-up services is also presented.
Results: One-in-five (217/1089) detainees assessed by the service were female, 91% of whom had a mental illness. Two-thirds were “cases” on the GHQ whilst 58% attained “above threshold” BPRS scores; 43% and 54% respectively had a history of harming others or themselves. Most had previous contact with mental health services. The majority (59%) were referred to their GPs following assessment.
Conclusions: Many women with mental illness are arrested and detained in police custody. The CJLD service effectively identified, assessed and linked the majority of female MDOs to services.
Aims: To describe the population of female detainees referred to the service by examining administrative outcomes and psychiatric assessment data.
Method: Two Community Mental Health Nurses (CMHNs) collected information on the mental health needs and service utilization of MDOs over a three-year period. Information on psychiatric history, offending history and recommended follow-up services is also presented.
Results: One-in-five (217/1089) detainees assessed by the service were female, 91% of whom had a mental illness. Two-thirds were “cases” on the GHQ whilst 58% attained “above threshold” BPRS scores; 43% and 54% respectively had a history of harming others or themselves. Most had previous contact with mental health services. The majority (59%) were referred to their GPs following assessment.
Conclusions: Many women with mental illness are arrested and detained in police custody. The CJLD service effectively identified, assessed and linked the majority of female MDOs to services.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 144-151 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| Journal | Journal of Mental Health |
| Volume | 18 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 06 Jul 2009 |
Keywords
- Diversion
- Liaison
- Mental disorder
- Women offenders
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Psychiatry and Mental health
