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Supported Bail for Mentally Vulnerable Defendants

NCJ Number
172665
Journal
Howard Journal of Criminal Justice Volume: 36 Issue: 2 Dated: (May 1997) Pages: 158-169
Author(s)
M Kennedy; C Truman; S Keyes; A Cameron
Date Published
1997
Length
12 pages
Annotation
The aim of policies implemented by Great Britain's Home Office is not simply to steer mentally disordered offenders away from the criminal justice system but rather to direct them to appropriate services.
Abstract
There are several key stages in the criminal justice process that provide an opportunity for effective diversion of mentally disordered offenders. The decision-making process surrounding the remand of defendants in magistrate courts is one such key stage. Psychiatric bail provision may also facilitate effective diversion in two ways: (1) by giving magistrates a viable alternative to custody; and (2) by acting as a link to other services such as housing. In order to estimate the need for psychiatric bail provision, a study was conducted that looked at the number and outcome of mentally vulnerable defendants who appeared before Inner London magistrate courts between April and September 1993. Data obtained from questionnaires and interviews resulted in 495 cases in which defendants had mental health problems; 312 of these defendants were remanded in custody. Despite the absence of comprehensive records, it was determined about 20 percent of all mental health cases in Inner London magistrate courts may benefit from some form of psychiatric bail provision as an alternative to custody. 15 references, 9 notes, 2 tables, and 3 figures