Centre for Mental Health

Sainsbury Centre welcomes justice secretary's call for fewer prison sentences

30 June 2010

The Secretary of State for Justice has today made a welcome statement of his priorities for the criminal justice system, the Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health said today.

Responding to Kenneth Clarke's first major speech as Secretary of State for Justice, Sainsbury Centre joint chief executive Sean Duggan said: "Too many people with a range of mental health problems are being imprisoned for a lack of suitable alternatives outside custody or through the absence of diversion services. One prisoner in ten has a severe mental illness and two-thirds have other mental health problems such as depression or drug dependence.

"Short prison sentences can damage a person's mental health, family life, employment and education. They have particularly serious effects on women, children and young people. Many prisoners lose their homes while they are in custody. Community sentences, with health support, can be a better and more effective alternative to short prison sentences.

"We know that diversion is a cost-effective alternative to imprisonment that reduces the likelihood of future crime as well as improving the health of vulnerable people. Mental health support in every police station and court, for adults and for children, would help to identify those who need to be diverted and prevent long delays in providing psychiatric reports before sentencing can take place. This can greatly reduce the use of prison for remand purposes for non-violent crimes.

"For those who do need to be imprisoned, we need better basic mental health care and more effective support to get into paid work and safe accommodation at the point of release. Too many people cycle in and out of prison because services do not work together well to rehabilitate them into their communities. It is vital that prisons work closely with local employers and make use of the expertise of the voluntary sector to get prisoners into jobs as soon as they are released.

"We also need to ensure that help is offered as early as possible to people at risk of offending. Parenting support for vulnerable young families can have a dramatic impact on later offending as well as bringing immediate improvements in children's wellbeing.

"We are delighted that the Secretary of State has signalled the Government's intent to begin a 'Rehabilitation Revolution'. Diversion, early intervention and rehabilitation can together make a big contribution to cutting the costs of crime, to improving health and to making communities safer in the future."