Boats against the current: vulnerable adults in police custody

Abstract

One effect of the policy of deinstitutionalisation has been to increase police contact with people, who are experiencing the effects of acute mental illness. Policy documents such as Home Office circular 66/90 recognise that adults with mental health problems are especially vulnerable within the criminal justice system. The overall aim of policy is that vulnerable adults should be diverted to mental health services at the earliest opportunity unless the offence is so serious that this would not be in the public interest. However, there is little concrete evidence of the success of this policy. The result is that police officers have an increasing role to play in working with individuals experiencing acute mental health problems. In this process, custody officers have a key role to play as decision‐makers as to whether the protections that PACE (1984) offers to vulnerable adults should apply. This article is based on a small‐scale indicative research study, which examined how officers make these decisions and the training that they receive relating to mental health issues.

Identification of mental illness in police cells: a comparison of police processes, the Brief Jail Mental Health Screen and the Jail Screening Assessment Tool

“…Persons with a mental illness are particularly vulnerable in police custody (Cummins, 2007), with rates of psychopathology and suicide much higher than that found in the general population (Blaauw, Kerkhof, & Vermunt, 1997;Blaauw et al, 1998). This vulnerability is further compounded by the deleterious effect of the custodial environment adversely affecting the psychological well-being of prisoners (Gibbs, 1987).…”

‘Break a Leg—It’s all in the mind’: Police Officers’ Attitudes towards Colleagues with Mental Health Issues

“…Where appropriate training is not provided, the majority of officers will rely upon their own experience, or those of more experienced colleagues, who will fail to challenge such stereotypes and embed them in operational responses and decision making (Fry, et al, 2002;Cummins, 2007). Therefore, training aimed at addressing negative stereotypes can lead to better outcomes for police officers when dealing with people and colleagues with mental health issues (Cotton, 2004).…”

A place of safety? Self‐harming behaviour in police custody

“…the belief that nothing can be done, so it is hardly surprising if this affects police officers. In addition, Cummins (2007) has highlighted the frustrations that police officers feel when trying to access appropriate support for detained persons who have mental health problems. Part of this stems from feeling that this is not a core policing role.…”