MURAL - Maynooth University Research Archive Library



    The mental health needs of women detained in police custody


    Scott, David and 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

    [img]
    Preview
    Download (299kB) | Preview


    Share your research

    Twitter Facebook LinkedIn GooglePlus Email more...



    Add this article to your Mendeley library


    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
    Keywords: Mental disorder; women offenders; diversion; liaison;
    Academic Unit: Faculty of Science and Engineering > Psychology
    Item ID: 9288
    Identification Number: https://doi.org/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
    URI:
    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

    Repository Staff Only(login required)

    View Item Item control page

    Downloads

    Downloads per month over past year

    Origin of downloads