Mental health screening in police custody – acceptability among detainees

McKinnon et al ¹ highlight the importance of effective screening of detainees in police custody for mental health problems and draw attention to the emerging provision of liaison and diversion services in police custody. In their study, approximately 28% of detainees from inner city London police stations declined to be interviewed by mental health professionals.

The experience of the criminal justice mental health team which provides liaison services to two police stations in rural North East Essex was similar. Of 573 detainees who were offered an assessment within 14 months of the newly established service, 25% declined to be seen. Among the 430 detainees who were assessed in police custody: 41% needed no further action; 44% were already known to or needed referral to secondary mental health services; 3% required an assessment under the Mental Health Act 1983; 6% were referred to community drug and alcohol teams; and 3% were referred for counselling. The remaining 3% were followed up by the criminal justice mental health team.

McKinnon et al's findings from inner city areas and our experience in rural areas suggest that services as proposed by Lord Bradley ² would be acceptable to three-quarters of detainees in police custody across geographical areas.