NCJ Number
57587
Journal
BRITISH JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY NEWS AND NOTES Volume: 130 Issue: 4 Dated: (APRIL 1977) Pages: 7-12
Date Published
1977
Length
6 pages
Annotation
GUIDELINES FOR HANDLING MENTALLY ILL OFFENDERS, DEVELOPED BY THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF PSYCHIATRISTS AND THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SECURITY, IN GREAT BRITAIN ARE DISCUSSED.
Abstract
WHILE BRITISH LAW REQUIRES THAT OFFENDERS JUDGED MENTALLY ILL BY STATUTORY DEFINITION ARE TO BE TREATED IN A HEALTH FACILITY, OFFENDERS DEEMED MENTALLY ILL BY COURTS ARE OFTEN DEPRIVED OF HEALTH SERVICES. FREQUENTLY NO AVAILABLE BEDS EXIST IN A SUITABLE HOSPITAL OR HOSPITAL AUTHORITIES REFUSE ADMITTANCE TO AN OFFENDER EITHER BECAUSE THEY DO NOT AGREE WITH THE COURT THAT HE IS MENTALLY ILL OR THEY BELIEVE THE DISORDER IN QUESTION IN IS NOT SUSCEPTIBLE TO TREATMENT UNDER AVAILABLE SERVICES. AFTER REVIEWING THIS SITUATION, THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF PSYCHIATRISTS AND THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SECURITY DEVELOPED GUIDELINES TO ALLEVIATE AFORMENTIONED DIFFICULTIES. THE GUIDELINES NOTE THAT THE REGIONAL HEALTH AUTHORITIES ARE UNDER A STATUTORY OBLIGATION TO PROVIDE ALL THE HOSPITAL ACCOMMODATION NEEDED IN THEIR REGION, EXCEPT FOR ACCOMMODATION FOR THOSE PATIENTS WHO, IN THE OPINION OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE, REQUIRE TREATMENT UNDER CONDITIONS OF SPECIAL SECURITY DUE TO THEIR DANGEROUS, VIOLENT, OR CRIMINAL PROPENSITIES. THE GUIDELINES ALSO POINT OUT THAT DOCTORS HAVE A CONTINUING RESPONSIBILITY TO ACCEPT ALL PATIENTS IN NEED OF TREATMENT, INCLUDING THOSE OFFENDERS WHO DO NOT REQUIRE THE SECURITY OF A SPECIAL TYPE OF HOSPITAL. THE PROVISION OF A FULL RANGE OF ACCOMMODATIONS, FROM OPEN WARDS TO SECURE UNITS AND SPECIAL HOSPITALS, IS ENCOURAGED. THE GUIDELINES INDICATE THAT ALTHOUGH THE COURT MAY REQUIRE COURT PERMISSION FOR THE RELEASE OF AN OFFENDER PATIENT, THIS DOES NOT IMPLY TREATMENT IN A SPECIAL HOSITAL OR A SECURE WARD. FURTHER, THE GUIDELINES ADVISE THAT WHEN CONSULTING DOCTORS RECOMMEND TO THE COURT THAT AN OFFENDER BE TREATED AS MENTALLY ILL, THESE SAME CONSULTANTS SHOULD BE PREPARED TO ACCEPT THE PATIENT INTO THEIR OWN HOSPITALS OR HAVE THE WRITTEN CONSENT OF ANOTHER DOCTOR WHO IS PREPARED TO TREAT THE PATIENT. THE APPENDIXES DISCUSS APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION TO SPECIAL HOSPITALS, ADMISSION TO HOSPITALS BY THE DIRECTION OF HOME SECRETARY, AND TRANSFERS FROM SPECIAL HOSPITALS. (RCB)