A place of safety? Self‐harming behaviour in police custody
| Date | 01 February 2008 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/14668203200800006 |
| Published date | 01 February 2008 |
| Pages | 36-47 |
| Author | Ian Cummins |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care,Sociology |
36 ©Pavilion Journals (Brighton) Limited The Journal of Adult Protection Volume 10 Issue 1 • February 2008
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Introduction
One significant outcome of the de-institutionalisation and
bed closure programme in mental health services has been
to increase the contacts between police officers and people
experiencing severe mental health problems. This is not
necessarily a role that officers have been trained to take
on. This results in a lack of awareness of and confidence
in dealing with mental health issues. Similar problems exist
within the prison system. Despite the diversion from custody
(DoH, 1992) the level of mental health needs among prisoners
seems to be rising inexorably.The historical under-funding
and fragmentation of mental health services has meant that
as Penrose (1939) suggested the criminal justice system has
increasingly been forced to take on the role of providing
basic health care. It should be noted that this is with a group,
which, community-based services have always found difficult
to engage. This has been for a variety of reasons including
complexity of need and hostility to services.
The evidence indicates that not only are mentally ill people
drawn into the criminal justice system, they are more at risk
within that system. The role of the appropriate adult is an
attempt to offer additional protection to a very vulnerable
group. However, this specific role is concerned with the
exercise of justice rather than the mental health needs of those
in custody. The extent and complexity of the mental health
needs of the prison population has been well established.
(Singleton et al, 1998). One would expect there to be similar
levels of need among those whom the police arrest, as the
groups are likely to share many characteristics. In addition,
the custodial environment contains a number of elements,
which means that it might be adding to rather than
diminishing the risks involved.
Aplace of safety?
Self-harming behaviour
in police custody Ian Cummins
University of Salford
Research paper
key words
self-harm, police custody,
vulnerable adults
abstract
The custody environment is not
designed nor can it hope to meet
the needs of individuals who are
experiencing acute mental distress.
The article reports the findings of
analysis of the recorded incidents of
self-harm that occurred in the
custody of one English police force
during an eight-month period in
2006. There were 168 such incidents
in this period. The ratio of
male/female detained persons, who
harmed themselves was 3:1. The
most common method used was a
ligature either from the detained
person’s own clothes or the paper
suits that are used in custody.
Alcohol or substance misuse was
identified as a clear risk factor.The
police response is analysed and
recommendations made for
improved access to health care for
those in custody.
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