Pilot mental health assessment and diversion scheme for an English Metropolitan Petty Sessional Division

A three-month pilot mental health assessment and diversion scheme was carried out at one of the busiest magistrates' courts outside London. In terms of demographic characteristics the sample of prisoners seen in this study was similar to those seen in diversion schemes in London and Manchester. Although 77 per cent of prisoners were found to be suffering from a psychiatric disorder, almost half were suffering from alcohol or drug dependence or misuse and the number with psychotic illnesses was small compared with the London sample. These differences may be partly due to the earlier diversion of acutely mentally ill prisoners from police custody into the health care system in Leeds. The low rate of psychiatric admission from the pilot scheme largely reflected these differences although in the cases of four patients admission was recommended by the assessing psychiatrist but not effected because of the lack of regional secure beds. Other problems identified by those involved in the scheme were the need for the provision of bail hostels specializing in the care of those with psychiatric difficulties and the need for the involvement of community psychiatric nurses within the assessment and diversion scheme.