A Path Not Taken? Mentally Disordered Offenders and the Criminal Justice System

Abstract

The long stated aim of UK Government policy has been to divert mentally disordered offenders from the Criminal Justice system to services where their mental health needs can be adequately addressed. An examination of the rates of mental disorder amongst those appearing before the Courts and in the prison population shows that this policy is not achieving its stated aims. This article considers two elements of possible police and social work involvement to examine the cultural shifts that are required to make this policy more effective.

Keywords:

• Mentally Disordered Offenders
• Diversion
• Appropriate Adult