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NI 'needs high-security hospital' NI 'needs high-security hospital'
(about 1 hour later)
Northern Ireland needs a high security hospital for prisoners with serious mental health problems, according to a Criminal Justice Inspectorate report.Northern Ireland needs a high security hospital for prisoners with serious mental health problems, according to a Criminal Justice Inspectorate report.
The new report says 78% of male prisoners on remand and 50% of female prisoners have personality disorders.The new report says 78% of male prisoners on remand and 50% of female prisoners have personality disorders.
It says Northern Ireland's prisons hold a number of people with mental health problems who, it could be argued, should not be there.It says Northern Ireland's prisons hold a number of people with mental health problems who, it could be argued, should not be there.
Inspectors say that figure will rise, presenting "an enormous challenge".Inspectors say that figure will rise, presenting "an enormous challenge".
The reports' authors said that because there are no suitable secure facilities in Northern Ireland, some very dangerous mentally disordered offenders remain in Maghaberry Prison for the whole of their sentences.The reports' authors said that because there are no suitable secure facilities in Northern Ireland, some very dangerous mentally disordered offenders remain in Maghaberry Prison for the whole of their sentences.
They recommend an assessment of the need for a local high secure hospital to which the most dangerous mentally disordered prisoners could be transferred for treatment.They recommend an assessment of the need for a local high secure hospital to which the most dangerous mentally disordered prisoners could be transferred for treatment.
The South Eastern Trust oversees health in prisons. Its director of mental health services Dessie Bannon said: "We will work with the Criminal Justice Inspectorate to try and take this issue forward.
"The provision for a secure inpatient unit in Northern Ireland is only now on the horizon."
One in eight people arrested in NI are believed to have mental health issues. The number of prisoners with personality disorders is seven times higher than in the general population.One in eight people arrested in NI are believed to have mental health issues. The number of prisoners with personality disorders is seven times higher than in the general population.
Any suggestion that a new high secure hospital should be built in Northern Ireland must be considered in the context of the very scarce resources available to the health service and to the entire population Michael McGimpseyHealth ministerAny suggestion that a new high secure hospital should be built in Northern Ireland must be considered in the context of the very scarce resources available to the health service and to the entire population Michael McGimpseyHealth minister
The most dangerous mentally-disordered offenders are sent to Carstairs in Scotland or occasionally Ashworth, Broadmoor or Rampton in England.The most dangerous mentally-disordered offenders are sent to Carstairs in Scotland or occasionally Ashworth, Broadmoor or Rampton in England.
Inspectors recommended a review of whether NI needs such a facility for mentally-ill remand prisoners.Inspectors recommended a review of whether NI needs such a facility for mentally-ill remand prisoners.
The medium-security Shannon Clinic at Knockbracken Healthcare Park in Belfast can cater for up to 34 patients with mental difficulties, some of whom may have come though the judicial system.The medium-security Shannon Clinic at Knockbracken Healthcare Park in Belfast can cater for up to 34 patients with mental difficulties, some of whom may have come though the judicial system.
'Complex needs''Complex needs'
Dr Michael Maguire, who is Northern Ireland chief inspector of criminal justice, said "the aim should be to improve the quality of care within the system so that it is in a position to deal appropriately with a smaller number of people who may have complex needs".Dr Michael Maguire, who is Northern Ireland chief inspector of criminal justice, said "the aim should be to improve the quality of care within the system so that it is in a position to deal appropriately with a smaller number of people who may have complex needs".
The report said there has been a historic lack of resourcing for mental health services in Northern Ireland, with an estimated 25% higher level of need than in England and Wales.The report said there has been a historic lack of resourcing for mental health services in Northern Ireland, with an estimated 25% higher level of need than in England and Wales.
The report, Not a Marginal Issue: Mental Health and the Criminal Justice System in Northern Ireland, identified six main areas in which change was needed:The report, Not a Marginal Issue: Mental Health and the Criminal Justice System in Northern Ireland, identified six main areas in which change was needed:
  • Clear rules are needed about where mentally disordered people are to be taken when arrested or detained by the police;
  • Proper assessment of mentally disordered people should take place when taken into custody;
  • Assessment information should be properly recorded and shared by police with the Public Prosecution Service;
  • The Public Prosecution Service should bring to the attention of the court any mental health issues so judges can consider it and call for further advice if needed;
  • Care of prisoners should be based around the "healthy prison" criteria of safety, respect, purposeful activity and preparation for resettlement;
  • Focus should be placed on the need for suitable accommodation to help mentally disordered offenders.
  • Clear rules are needed about where mentally disordered people are to be taken when arrested or detained by the police;
  • Proper assessment of mentally disordered people should take place when taken into custody;
  • Assessment information should be properly recorded and shared by police with the Public Prosecution Service;
  • The Public Prosecution Service should bring to the attention of the court any mental health issues so judges can consider it and call for further advice if needed;
  • Care of prisoners should be based around the "healthy prison" criteria of safety, respect, purposeful activity and preparation for resettlement;
  • Focus should be placed on the need for suitable accommodation to help mentally disordered offenders.
Health Minister Michael McGimpsey said the report's findings reflected the need for significant investment in mental health services across Northern Ireland.Health Minister Michael McGimpsey said the report's findings reflected the need for significant investment in mental health services across Northern Ireland.
"Any suggestion that a new high secure hospital should be built in Northern Ireland must be considered in the context of the very scarce resources available to the health service and to the entire population," he added."Any suggestion that a new high secure hospital should be built in Northern Ireland must be considered in the context of the very scarce resources available to the health service and to the entire population," he added.
Criminal Justice Minister Paul Goggins said it was "vital that we continue to develop a well co-ordinated and collaborative approach between the health and justice sectors".Criminal Justice Minister Paul Goggins said it was "vital that we continue to develop a well co-ordinated and collaborative approach between the health and justice sectors".
"The South Eastern Trust, in partnership with the Prison Service and the Health and Social Care Board, is developing a healthcare strategy which encompasses mental health services," he said."The South Eastern Trust, in partnership with the Prison Service and the Health and Social Care Board, is developing a healthcare strategy which encompasses mental health services," he said.
"This strategy will help drive service improvement across the three prison establishments in Northern Ireland.""This strategy will help drive service improvement across the three prison establishments in Northern Ireland."