Identifying vulnerability in police custody: Making sense of information provided to custody officers

Farrugia, Laura

doi:10.1016/j.jflm.2021.102169

Cited by 2 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…As screening tools have been developed, the literature has described a tension between concepts of diagnosis, vulnerability and risk, leading some to advocate for a ‘whole person approach’ to screening and intervention, as opposed to a diagnostic approach (Farrugia 2021; Wardrop 2021). However, although this argument may be useful from the perspective of research or service-planning, it has serious limitations in clinical practice, particularly as regards the identification of serious or life-threatening medical and psychiatric conditions that require immediate intervention.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Screening for mental disorders in police custody settings

et al. 2022

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SUMMARY Mental disorders are overrepresented in the criminal justice system, and this applies equally to police custody. These environments are complex and often pressured, and the acuity of the situation, combined with underlying mental disorders, comorbid medical problems and substance misuse, can lead to behavioural disturbance and increased psychiatric risk. Police custody may also present an opportunity to identify and signpost people with mental disorders and vulnerabilities who are ordinarily hard to reach by standard health services. This article considers the purposes of mental health screening of detainees in police custody. It gives an overview of research into screening for a range of psychiatric disorders and vulnerabilities (including substance misuse and traumatic brain injury) and summarises data on deaths in and immediately following release from custody. Given the inadequacy of statutory screening procedures in some jurisdictions, the authors offer a pragmatic evidence-based protocol to guide screening for mental disorders in custody detainees.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…One criticism of research and policy in this area is that there is a tendency to focus on circumscribed ‘mental disorders’ which are neither homogeneous nor exist in isolation. This has led to calls for a more holistic concept of ‘mental vulnerability’ (Farrugia 2021).…”

Section: Opportunities For Screening In Police Custodymentioning

confidence: 99%