Government responds to
Bradley report on mental health in the Criminal Justice System
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
News Release issued by COI News Distribution Service on 30 April 2009
The Government has
today published its response to Lord Bradley's report on
people with mental health problems and learning difficulties in
the Criminal Justice System.
In December 2007 the Secretary of State for Justice, Jack Straw,
invited Lord Keith Bradley to lead an independent inquiry into
diversion of offenders with mental health problems or learning
disabilities away from prison into other more appropriate services.
The report published today has been welcomed by Ministers across
Government, including Department of Health, Ministry of Justice,
Home Office and Department for Children, Schools and Families who
recognise the need for reform in this area and the necessity for
more joined up services to strengthen capacity and take forward
this work.
A Health and Criminal Justice National Programme Board will be
set up by the end of May to bring together the relevant
departments covering health, social care and criminal justice for
children and adults. The first priority for the Board will be to
consider Lord Bradley's recommendations and develop a
national delivery plan by October 2009. A National Advisory Board
will also be established to ensure wider involvement from
interested organisations.
David Hanson, Minister for Justice said:
"I am grateful to Lord Bradley for setting out the direction
for the changes that we need to divert offenders with particular
mental health problems away from prison and into more appropriate services.
"He has recognised the considerable progress already made in
reforming health services for offenders. Prison health is now
embedded in the NHS and delivered in partnership with the National
Offender Management Service. We have also increased availability
of drug treatment services. We will do more to achieve better
outcomes overall, in the interests of victims, to better protect
the public and further reduce re-offending."
Phil Hope, Minister for Care Services said:
"I welcome Lord Bradley's very thorough report and we
now have a responsibility to make his vision a reality. People
with mental health problems and learning disabilities deserve high
quality health services to lead full, active and law abiding
lives. We recognise, with Lord Bradley, that in improving access
to these health services public protection remains a priority.
"Part of the way forward is to make sure that the NHS and
criminal justice services work together effectively by improving
commissioning, training and the development of staff. I look
forward to working with the National Programme Board and Advisory
Group to tackle these important issues."
Vernon Coaker, Minister for Policing, Crime and Security said: [DRAFT]
"I very much welcome Lord Bradley's review and the
recognition of the need for greater engagement by health services
and healthcare providers at police stations.
"We will use Lord Bradley's review to build on the
existing good practice that takes place in many police stations as
we recognise that early intervention of healthcare professionals
can help reduce the risk of harm to the individual and minimise
any dangers to police officers and others. It can also help
disrupt criminal lifestyles and help prevent further re-offending."
Beverley Hughes, Minister for Children and Young People said:
"We want to prevent all young people from entering the
criminal justice system, including identifying those young people
with behavioural and or mental health problems that are at high
risk. By intervening early to support vulnerable children and
young people and working with young people most at risk of
offending we can help turn around their behaviour and help prevent
their offending. The Government has committed, following the
review of Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS),
to provide better access to support and information and make clear
what is available locally to help meet the mental health needs of
children, and help their families.
"We also set out how to better support young people if they
do enter the criminal justice system and the establishment of a
Health and Criminal Justice National Programme Board will ensure
local services work together to identify young offenders who need
further support."
Notes for Editors
1. 'The Bradley Report - Lord Bradley's review of
people with mental health problems or learning disabilities in the
Criminal Justice System' is at http://www.dh.gov.uk The Written
Ministerial Statement and Government's response is at http://www.justice.gov.uk
2. The Secretary of State for Justice, Jack Straw announced a
review into diversion of offenders away from prison on 5 December
2007, during his ministerial statement on Lord Carter's
Review of Prisons. Lord Keith Bradley, former Home Office
Minister, was appointed to Chair the review.
3. Lord Bradley completed his review and reported his findings to
government on 25 February. The report broadly recommends better
assessment at the earliest possible opportunity, and improved
continuity of care for people with mental health problems or
learning disabilities in the criminal justice system.
4. The report has made 82 recommendations, the overwhelming
majority of which the government either fully accepts, or accepts
in principle. However, Lord Bradley's report itself
recognises many recommendations are longer term and will need
further work to ensure that all implications are considered. A
Health and Criminal National Programme Board will be set up to
oversee the implementation of recommendations.
5. For further information please contact:
* Ministry of Justice press office (020 3334 3518)
*
Department of Health press office (020 7210 5221)
* Home
Office press office (020 7035 3830)
* Department for Children,
Schools and Families press office (020 7340 8188).
http://www.justice.gov.uk
http://www.dh.gov.uk
whttp://www.homeoffice.gov.uk
http://www.dcsf.gov.uk