04.10.12
Prisoners have high rates of mental illness, but lack treatment
Offenders suffer from a disproportionate level of mental health disorders, and rehabilitation into the community can be undermined by a lack of intervention, the London Probation Trust (LPT) suggests.
The trust is seeking to raise awareness of the high rates of mental illness experienced by offenders and ex-offenders, particularly those suffering from depression, ahead of World Mental Health Day on October 10.
According to the Centre for Mental Health, approximately 70% of prisoners have either psychosis, neurosis, personality disorder or substance misuse problems. Together UK statistics indicate that nine out of 10 prisoners have a mental health disorder, with over 70% having two or more. Unfortunately, less than 1% of offenders in the community are being referred for treatment.
Angus Cameron, mental health adviser, London Probation Trust said: “Currently only a minority of offenders in the community who need it are referred for mental health treatment.
“Until mental health issues are addressed equally by the courts, criminal justice system, and health providers and resourced accordingly, the success of much vital probation and rehabilitation work risks being compromised.
“Offenders in London with depression and other conditions such as aggression and personality disorder, will not respond as well to the help we give, for example in finding accommodation or in learning new skills and gaining employment, so the costs to society of not intervening early quickly mount up.
“We are calling for offender health and well-being to be firmly embedded into the commissioning of primary health care services in London.”
The LPT is currently piloting a personality disorder awareness scheme across ten London boroughs, scheduled to go live in April 2013.
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