NOTTINGHAMSHIRE PROBATION AND AFTER-CARE SERVICE - REPORT OF DEPARTMENTAL WORKING PARTY ON THE MENTALLY ABNORMAL OFFENDER AND PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL LIAISON - ENGLAND

• NCJ Number: 66088
• Author(s): ANON
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 34 pages
• Corporate Author: Nottingham Probation and After-Care Service
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United Kingdom

Annotation

THE NOTTINGHAMSHIRE PROBATION AND AFTERCARE SERVICE WORKING PARTY PRESENTS ITS REPORT OF RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING PSYCHIATRIC SERVICES FOR MENTALLY ABNORMAL OFFENDERS, AND PROBATIONERS.

Abstract

THIS ENGLISH REPORT WAS DEVELOPED IN RESPONSE TO CONCERN OVER ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUPERVISION OF DISCHARGED OFFENDERS, THE BUTLER REPORT ON WORKING WITH MENTALLY ILL OFFENDERS, ALLEGATIONS THAT PROBATION ORDERS CONTAINING CONDITIONS OF PSYCHIATRIC TREATMENT VARIED CONSIDERABLY, AND A GROWING AWARENESS THAT UNSATISFACTORY SENTENCES WERE BEING GIVEN TO OFFENDER-PATIENTS. A MAJOR REPORT OBJECTIVE IS TO OUTLINE THE LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK WITHIN WHICH MENTALLY ABNORMAL OFFENDERS ARE TREATED. THE RELEVANT LEGISLATION RELATES TO FOUR AREAS--GENERAL TREATMENT, SPECIAL TREATMENT OF HOSPITAL ORDERS, PSYCHIATRIC ADVICE TO COURTS, AND VARIOUS TREATMENT CONDITIONS IN PROBATION ORDERS. SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS MAKE UP THE REMAINDER OF THE REPORT AND PROCEED LOGICALLY FROM THOSE CONCERNING POINT OF REFERRAL (THE COURT REPORT), THROUGH THE VARIOUS FORMS OF TREATMENT (BEGINNING WITH OUTPATIENT CONTACT), TO THE MORE SECURE FORMS OF CONTROL SUCH AS IMPRISONMENT. RATIONAL USE OF PSYCHIATRIC REPORTS IS URGED. THESE SHOULD BE DEVELOPED WITH PARTICIPATION OF PROBATION OFFICERS AND SHOULD CLARIFY ANY PROPOSED TREATMENTS. PROBATION OFFICERS SHOULD INITIATE TALKS WITH PSYCHIATRISTS ABOUT CASES ON WHICH THEY ARE COLLABORATING AND SHOULD BE INFORMED OF TREATMENT PLAN CHANGES BY THE PSYCHIATRISTS. BOTH PROBATION OFFICERS AND PSYCHIATRISTS SHOULD BE FAMILIAR WITH THE LAW REGARDING TREATMENT CONDITIONS. EARLY THROUGHCARE DECISIONS SHOULD BE MADE AT THE START OF A HOSPITAL ORDER. CREATION OF A REGIONAL SECURE UNIT FOR MENTALLY ILL OFFENDER-PATIENTS SHOULD BE AN OBJECTIVE, AND PROBATION OFFICERS SHOULD PUSH FOR ADEQUATE PRISON PSYCHIATRIC FACILITIES. IN ADDITION TO THESE AND OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS, THE REPORT ADVISES FURTHER DISSEMINATION OF THE 1959 MENTAL HEALTH ACT. REFERENCES, TWO SECTIONS OF THE MENTAL HEALTH ACT, STEPS FOR OBTAINING PSYCHIATRIC REPORTS, A LISTING OF PSYCHIATRIC CARE HOSPITALS, AND SUPERVISION ORDERS AND A READING LIST ARE APPENDED. (AOP)