Differences between homeless and non-homeless people in a matched sample referred for mental health reasons in police custody

Hopkin, Gareth; Chaplin, Lucia; Slade, Karen; Craster, Laura; Valmaggia, Lucia; Samele, Chiara; Forrester, Andrew

doi:10.1177/0020764020920904

Cited by 4 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…While detained in police custody, psychiatric symptoms can increase significantly (Ogloff, Warren, Tye, Blaher & Thomas, 2011). Homeless people may present with higher levels of substance use and more immediate care requirements (Hopkin et al., 2020).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The prevalence of mental illness and unmet needs of police custody detainees

Samele

McKinnon

Brown

et al. 2021

Criminal Behav Ment Health

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Background Internationally, there is evidence of high rates of mental disorders amongst police custody detainees but this literature is limited, and there has been little research into the unmet needs of police detainees in the UK, or elsewhere. Such research could support better focussed interventions for improving health and recidivism outcomes. Aim To examine psychiatric and developmental morbidity amongst police detainees, and ascertain differences in need between morbidity categories. Method We used a cross‐sectional study design and interviewed a 40% sample of people entering police custody in one South London police station over a 2‐week period. A series of standardised measures was administered to screen for the presence of mental illness, general health and social care needs. Results A cohort of 134 people was generated, of whom nearly one‐third (39, 29%) had current mental illness (major depression and/or psychosis); more had a lifetime diagnosis (54, 40%). Just under a fifth met the threshold for post‐traumatic stress disorder (11, 8%). Clinically relevant alcohol or daily cannabis use affected about one quarter of the sample. Twenty‐one percent (or 28) screened positive for personality disorder, 11% (or 15) for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and 4% (6) for intellectual disability. Nearly one‐fifth (24, 18%) were at risk for suicide. Those with psychosis, and those deemed at risk for suicide, had the highest levels of unmet need and, indeed, overall need. The most frequent unmet need was for accommodation. Conclusion Our findings not only confirm high rates of mental health problems amongst police detainees but also demonstrate their high risk of suicide and high levels of unmet need, especially as regards accommodation. This underscores the need to provide mental health services in police stations, to help identify and resolve these issues at this early stage in the criminal justice system. Extending accommodation capacity to help some arrestees may help to save lives and interrupt cycling through the criminal justice system.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The prevalence of mental illness and unmet needs of police custody detainees

Samele

McKinnon

Brown

et al. 2021

Criminal Behav Ment Health

Self Cite

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show abstract

“…20 The high number of homeless referrals should be noted, as this population is at increased risk of mental illness and may require additional social support. 21 Particular attention should be paid to supporting the needs of individuals from ethnic minorities, who are over-represented throughout the criminal justice system and are frequently failed by services. 22…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Liaison and diversion services in South East London: Referral patterns over a 25-year period

et al. 2021

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Criminal justice liaison and diversion services identify people with mental health needs and ensure they receive appropriate support. We describe a 25-year period of one such service that deals with a population of 864,540 in South East London that was set up in 1991. We used data from three time periods. A diagnosis of a mental illness was recorded in 70.0–80.3% of court liaison and diversion referrals. The proportion receiving a hospital order declined from 15.4% in 1991/1992 to 1.1% in 2015/2016; 54/199 (27.1%) of referrals to the police liaison and diversion service were detained in hospital. Although the service is designed to support any individual with a mental health issue, these results suggest that it has dealt mainly with people who have severe mental illness. Further research is required to understand how best to benefit a wider range of people with mental health issues who attend the lower (Magistrates’) courts, and whether screening for mental disorders can be applied in liaison and diversion settings to aid the implementation of national policy. We also need to understand how disposal decisions are made, and which are most effective.

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Severe mental illness, common mental disorders, and neurodevelopmental conditions amongst 9088 lower court attendees in London, UK

et al. 2022

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Background Court Mental Health Liaison and Diversion Services (CMHLDS) have developed in some countries as a response to the over-representation of mental illness and other vulnerabilities amongst defendants presenting to criminal justice (or correctional) systems. This study examined the characteristics and rates of mental disorder of 9088 defendants referred to CMHLDS. Method The study analysed service level data, obtained from the National Health Service’s mental health data set, to examine characteristics relating to gender, ethnicity and comorbidity of common mental and neurodevelopmental disorders at five CMHLDS across London between September 2015 and April 2017. Results The sample included 7186 males (79.1%) and 1719 females (18.9%), the gender of 183 (2%) were not recorded. Of those referred, 6616 (72.8%) presented with an identifiable mental disorder and 503 (5.5%) with a neurodevelopmental disorder (NDD). Significantly higher rates of schizophrenia were reported amongst Black defendants (n = 681; 37.2%) and Asian defendants (n = 315; 29%), while higher rates of depression were found amongst White defendants (n = 1007; 22.1%). Substance misuse was reported amongst 2813 defendants (31%), and alcohol misuse amongst 2111 (23.2%), with significantly high rates of substance and alcohol misuse amongst defendants presenting with schizophrenia or personality disorder. Conclusions This is one of the largest studies to examine mental health needs and vulnerabilities amongst defendants presenting to CMHLDS. It will enable an improved understanding of the required service designs and resources required to manage the healthcare pathways for people attending CMHLDS.

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Differences between homeless and non-homeless people in a matched sample referred for mental health reasons in police custody

Cited by 4 publications

References 21 publications

The prevalence of mental illness and unmet needs of police custody detainees

The prevalence of mental illness and unmet needs of police custody detainees

Liaison and diversion services in South East London: Referral patterns over a 25-year period

Severe mental illness, common mental disorders, and neurodevelopmental conditions amongst 9088 lower court attendees in London, UK

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