A Missed Opportunity?

Community sentences and the Mental Health Treatment Requirement

The Mental Health Treatment Requirement (MHTR) is one of 12 possible requirements for all people given a community sentence in England and Wales. It is rarely used in practice, even though more than two-fifths of people on community sentences have mental health problems.

A Missed Opportunity? looks at why the courts, probation and health services rarely use the MHTR. It finds that the purpose of the MHTR and the group of people to whom it can be given are not clear to sentencers, probation staff or health professionals. It calls on the Government to issue clear guidance on the use of the MHTR.