NCJ Number
101075
Date Published
1985
Length
12 pages
Annotation
The many problems involved in the treatment of mentally ill offenders in Great Britain point to the need for a strict admission policy for psychiatric treatment, a study of prison psychiatric care, and changes in the way the authorities handle disturbed prisoners.
Abstract
Data from prison doctors indicate that in 1984, 310 prisoners were mentally disordered. However, only one-third of the mentally disordered prisoners were transferred to hospitals. These data were probably based on the restrictive definition found in the 1983 Mental Health Act. Several studies indicate high levels of mental illness. A crucial issue related to mentally ill offenders who are not subject to compulsory detention under the Mental Health Act is whether a prisoner can give valid consent to medical procedures in prison. In Freeman v. Home Office, the Court of Appeal admitted that a prison doctor has, in part, a custodial role instead of a purely therapeutic one. The Prison Rules 1964 specify the control and managerial role of prison doctors. Integrating the prison medical service into the National Health Service would not change this role. Prison medical care should be administered by hospitals under the management of Regional Health Authorities. Prisoners receiving psychiatric medication should consent to their treatment, and lay committees should confirm this consent. 4 tables and 7 references.