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The Bentham Unit: A pilot remand and assessment service for male mentally disordered remand prisoners

II: Report of an independent evaluation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 January 2018

Tim Weaver ,
Fiona Taylor ,
Barbara Cunningham ,
Anthony Maden ,
Sian Rees  and
Adrian Renton
Tim Weaver*
Affiliation:
Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, St Marys Hospital Medical School, London
Fiona Taylor
Affiliation:
Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, St Marys Hospital Medical School, London
Barbara Cunningham
Affiliation:
Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, St Marys Hospital Medical School, London
Anthony Maden
Affiliation:
Institute of Psychiatry, London
Sian Rees
Affiliation:
Department of Public Health, Hammersmith & Hounslow Health Agency, London
Adrian Renton
Affiliation:
Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, St Mary's Hospital Medical School, London
*
Tim Weaver, Department of Psychiatry, Centre for Research on Drugs and Health Behaviour, Charing Cross and Westminster Medical School, 200 Seagrave Road, London SW6 IRQ
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Abstract

Background

Findings are presented from an evaluation of a pilot remand and assessment service - the Bentham Unit, The aims of the Bentham Unit are to provide rapid assessment, identify mentally disordered remand prisoners, and speed their transfer from prison to NHS care, where a need is indicated.

Method

The number, rate and speed of referral, assessment and transfer to NHS care of offenders remanded to Wormwood Scrubs prison during periods before and after the Bentham Unit opened were compared.

Results

The service attracted a large volume of referrals. Between the two periods, significant increases in the numbers of referrals and hospital disposals, and major reductions in the interval between reception on remand into the prison, NHS assessment and transfer to NHS care, were observed.

Conclusions

The aims of the unit were met. Implications for service configurations are discussed.

Type
Papers
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 170 , Issue 5 , May 1997 , pp. 462 - 466
Copyright
Copyright © 1997 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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References

Department of Health & Home Office (1992) Review of Health and Social Services for Mentally Disordered Offenders and Others Requiring Similar Services. Final Summary Report. London: HMSO.Google Scholar
Murray, K., Akinkunmi, A., Lock, M., et al (1996) The Bentham Unit; a pilot remand and assessment service for male mentally disordered remand prisoners. I: Clinical activity in the first year, and related ethical, practical and funding issues. British Journal of Psychiatry 170, 456–461.Google Scholar
Robertson, G., Dell, S., James, K., et al (1994) Psychotic men remanded in custody to Brixton Prison. British journal of Psychiatry, 144, 55–61.Google Scholar
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