Centre for Mental Health

Sainsbury Centre begins campaign for a better way for mental health and criminal justice

15 October 2008

"Radical reforms will be needed to stop people with mental health problems being imprisoned and denied the treatment they need," Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health director of prisons and criminal justice Sean Duggan said today.

Speaking at the launch of Sainsbury Centre's first national campaign, a better way, Sean Duggan said: "We can improve the lives of offenders, victims, families and communities alike by responding better to the mental health needs of people who get into the criminal justice system.

"The Government must invest in more effective responses to mental ill health among those who currently languish in prison. The vast majority of prisoners in England and Wales have mental health problems. Few get the support they need to build productive lives when they leave prison and return to their communities.

"We know that prison can damage mental health. Short prison sentences can disrupt people's lives dramatically yet offer no opportunity for rehabilitation. Indeterminate sentences can do even greater harm. The need for effective alternatives to custody is greater than ever."

Through a better way, Sainsbury Centre calls for:

• Better services in the community to stop people being imprisoned where safe alternatives outside prison would be better.
• People with mental health problems to have access to mental health treatment and support at all stages of the criminal justice system.
• Urgent investment in improved prison mental health care.

Sainsbury Centre chief executive Angela Greatley said: "We know beyond doubt now that imprisoning people with mental health problems, failing to treat them and releasing them without adequate support has a disastrous impact on us all. We need to find alternatives to prison for those who can safely stay in their communities, with their families and children, and for those who need to be in hospital. And for those who must be in prison we need to provide mental health care that will help them to get their lives back on track.

"We hope that Lord Bradley's review of mental health and criminal justice will signal a commitment from government to take decisive steps to re-balance the criminal justice system in favour of what works in reducing reoffending and rebuilding people's lives."

Support for the principles of a better way has been kindly pledged by charities including Clinks, the Howard League for Penal Reform, Mind, Nacro, the Revolving Doors Agency and Turning Point.

Mind chief executive Paul Farmer said: "We already know that thousands of people in prisons - as many as 80% - experience mental health problems, and often the mental health support is insufficient or unavailable. There are some clear solutions to help reduce the number of prisoners who experience mental distress. Mind supports a better way as a vital campaign which should turn those solutions into reality for some of the most vulnerable people in our society."