Diversion into mental health treatment: a survey of magistrates and treatment plans

Figures & data

Figure 1. Mean importance rating by issue.

Figure 2. Level of disagreement on importance of issue.

Figure 3. Mean important rating versus standard deviation of ratings.

Figure 4. Feedback on mental health diversion: experiences and preferences.

Figure 5. Variation among magistrates on the proportion of applications without merit.

Table 1. Bivariate relationships between treatment plan characteristics and diversion.

Variable	Prosecuted (%)	Dismissed (%)	N	p
Currently receiving treatment
No	85.71	14.29	7	.003
Yes	26.03	73.97	73
Report written by SCCLS
No	48.48	51.52	33	.007
Yes	20.41	79.59	49
Clinician knew client
No	25.00	75.00	60	.251
Yes	38.89	61.11	18
Report mentions link between offending and mental health impairment/CI
No	25.00	75.00	64	.014
Yes	55.56	44.44	18
Report mentions clear treatment goals
No	25.76	74.24	66	.061
Yes	53.33	46.67	15
Report mentions clear responsibilities
No	54.55	45.45	11	.067
Yes	27.14	72.86	70
Report mentions continuing or prescribing medication
No	43.75	56.25	16	.249
Yes	28.79	71.21	66
Report mentions substance use
No	28.26	71.74	46	.448
Yes	36.11	63.89	36
Diagnosed with schizophrenia/psychotic illness
No	45.00	55.00	40	.012
Yes	19.05	80.95	42
Diagnosed with a cognitive impairment/intellectual disability
No	37.70	62.30	61	.047
Yes	14.29	85.71	21
Diagnosed with depression
No	28.57	71.43	70	.141
Yes	50.00	50.00	12
Diagnosed with a substance-related mental health impairment/disorder
No	27.27	72.73	55	.218
Yes	40.74	59.26	27
Diagnosed with PTSD
No	32.00	68.00	75	.852
Yes	28.57	71.43	7
Diagnosed with bipolar
No	31.94	68.06	72	.901
Yes	30.00	70.00	10
Length of report
1–2 pages	37.50	62.50	8	.504
3–5 pages	28.57	71.43	63
6−24 pages	45.45	54.55	11

Note: SCCLS = State-wide Community and Court Liaison Service; CI = cognitive impairment; PTSD = posttraumatic stress disorder.

Table A1. Coding sheet for psychiatric reports/treatment plans.

Variable/Factor	Score
Is the report written by SCCLS? (0 = NO; 1 = YES)
For SCCLS reports, is the report supplemented by information from treating clinician/place? (0 = NO; 1 = YES)
Whether the clinician writing the report is a psychiatrist (= 1) or a psychologist (= 2) 3 = other (specify)
How long the clinician has been working professionally for. 1 = Months – 5 years; 2 = 6 – 10 years; 3 = 11+ years. 4 = Not mentioned 5 = Not mentioned/NA because completed by SCCLS
Clinician writing the treatment/psychiatric report knew and treated the client before their offence (1 = YES; 0 = NO; 2 = Previously assessed but not treated)
Clinician writing the treatment/psychiatric report describes a clear link between the client’s offending and their mental health impairment/CI (1 = YES; 0 = NO).
Does the report mention current or recent substance use? (1 = YES; 0 = NO)
Clinician writing the treatment/psychiatric report mentions either prescribing or continuing medication (1 = YES; 0 = NO).
Report mentions clear treatment goals for the client (1 = YES; 0 = NO).
Report mentions clear responsibilities for the client as part of their treatment plan (1 = YES; 0 = NO).
Is the person currently receiving MH treatment? (1 = YES; 0 = NO)
How many mental health impairments/CI does the person have? (Count)
What mental health or cognitive impairment the individual is diagnosed to have (1 = schizophrenia; 2 = depression; 3 = substance-related mental illness; 4 = cognitive impairment or intellectual disability; 5 = PTSD; 6 = other (specified); 7 = bipolar.
Does clinician recommend diversion via s32/33? (1 = YES; 0 = NO (specify why).
Clinician writing the treatment/psychiatric report mentions how diverting the person under s32/33 will assist the person (1 = YES; 0 = NO).