Scott, David, McGilloway, Sinéad and Donnelly, Michael (2009) The mental health needs of women detained in police custody. Journal of Mental Health, 18 (2). pp. 144-151. ISSN 0963-8237
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Abstract
Background: This paper describes and appraises the work of a city centre Criminal Justice Liaison and Diversion (CJLD) service in relation to contact with female Mentally Disordered Offenders (MDOs).
Aims: To describe the population of female detainees referred to the service by examining administrative outcomes and psychiatric assessment data.
Method: Two Community Mental Health Nurses (CMHNs) collected information on the mental health needs and service utilization of MDOs over a three-year period. Information on psychiatric history, offending history and recommended follow-up services is also presented.
Results: One-in-five (217/1089) detainees assessed by the service were female, 91% of whom had a mental illness. Two-thirds were “cases” on the GHQ whilst 58% attained “above threshold” BPRS scores; 43% and 54% respectively had a history of harming others or themselves. Most had previous contact with mental health services. The majority (59%) were referred to their GPs following assessment.
Conclusions: Many women with mental illness are arrested and detained in police custody. The CJLD service effectively identified, assessed and linked the majority of female MDOs to services.
Item Type: | Article |
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Keywords: | Mental disorder; women offenders; diversion; liaison; |
Academic Unit: | Faculty of Science and Engineering > Psychology |
Item ID: | 9288 |
Identification Number: | 10.1080/09638230701879193 |
Depositing User: | Dr. Sinéad McGilloway |
Date Deposited: | 07 Mar 2018 17:06 |
Journal or Publication Title: | Journal of Mental Health |
Publisher: | Taylor & Francis |
Refereed: | Yes |
Related URLs: | |
URI: | https://mural.maynoothuniversity.ie/id/eprint/9288 |
Use Licence: | This item is available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Licence (CC BY-NC-SA). Details of this licence are available here |
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