The mental health needs of women detained in police custody

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.

Declaration of interest: None.

Keywords:

• Mental disorder
• women offenders
• diversion
• liaison