Ministers outline steps to keeping “Care not custody” promise

The Health Secretary Andrew Lansley and the Justice Minister Crispin Blunt have outlined the progress made towards diverting people with mental health needs from the justice system into treatment and care at a Westminster reception on 23 April.

The ministers detailed steps taken towards the creation of a national liaison and diversion service for vulnerable offenders by 2014, backed by Department of Health investment of £50 million towards its development and evaluation.

Andrew Lansley said: “We will make diversion services a staple part of the health and criminal justice system. We will cover all age groups, a wide range of needs. We will open up opportunities for every court and custody suite to have that alternative available to prison when it is appropriate.”

Establishing liaison and diversion services at police stations and courts was a key recommendation of Lord Bradley’s review of mental health and learning disabilities in the justice system.

Speaking ahead of the Westminster reception, jointly hosted by the National Federation of Women’s Institutes (NFWI) and the Prison Reform Trust (PRT), PRT director Juliet Lyon said: “A bleak cell in a dark, noisy prison is the worst place for someone with mental health needs.

“The sheer force of the [Women’s Institutes], together with over one million health and justice professionals in the Care not Custody Coalition, should make sure that the government keeps its important promise to establish liaison and diversion schemes in police stations and courts across England.”

The Care not Custody Coalition was founded by the NFWI and PRT to support the government in keeping its “care not custody” promise. Members of the Care not Custody Coalition include the Law Society, the Police Federation, Victim Support, the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), the NHS Confederation and the major mental health and penal affairs charities.

Photo courtesy of Elliott Franks