Briefing released on the imprisonment of people with complex mental health needs and intellectual disabilities

The Chief Ombudsman has told a Parliamentary committee that people with complex needs are at increasing risk of serious harm from being kept in prison because there is nowhere else for them to go. 

John Allen gave a briefing on the issue to Parliament’s Health Committee in June. 

The Ombudsman’s observations were based on his role monitoring places of detention, having oversight of serious incidents in prisons, and his systemic investigations.

The aim of his briefing was to assist MPs ahead of scrutiny week when Ministers and public sector leaders appear before parliamentary committees to discuss the Government’s Budget spending plans.

In his briefing Mr Allen said Judges are having to remand people with complex mental health needs and intellectual mental disabilities into prison because of a shortage of beds in secure specialist facilities.

He was concerned they faced an increasing risk of self-harm, distress or causing harm to others when access to these services was delayed or unavailable.

Mr Allen said this raised questions about whether the current funding, planning and stewardship of the health system were adequate. 

Mr Allen told the committee he was making the examination of these longstanding issues a priority for the coming year.