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Psychotic men remanded in custody to Brixton Prison
1Institute of Psychiatry, De Crespigny Park, London.
Summary
Mentally ill prisoners experienced delayed release due to inefficient psychiatric care systems. The study suggests using specific legal provisions to divert these offenders from prison, improving timely treatment and reducing custody duration.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Psychiatry
- Mental Health Law
- Criminal Justice System
Background:
- Analysis of medical referrals for prisoners with psychiatric disorders in Brixton Prison.
- Focus on remanded offenders charged with offenses, including minor ones.
- Investigation into the impact of medical interventions on release timelines.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficiency of the psychiatric care referral system for remanded prisoners.
- To identify administrative delays impacting treatment and release.
- To propose improvements for managing mentally ill offenders in the justice system.
Main Methods:
- Review of medical officer referrals over a five-month period in 1989.
- Examination of patient progress for individuals with major psychiatric disorders.
- Analysis of administrative processes under the Mental Health Act 1983, Section 37.
Main Results:
- Medical intervention often resulted in delayed release from custody.
- Prisoners with severe psychiatric conditions experienced the longest detentions.
- The system under Section 37 of the Mental Health Act 1983 was found to be cumbersome and inefficient.
Conclusions:
- The current system for managing mentally ill remanded offenders is inefficient.
- Administrative delays significantly prolong the custody of the most vulnerable prisoners.
- Greater utilization of Section 48 of the 1993 Act is recommended to divert mentally ill offenders from prison.