Criminal Justice System - Assessment and Treatment Service

Meeting the mental health needs of adults and young people in the criminal justice system is a high priority on both the Central and Welsh Government agendas. Pastoral Cymru Ltd commends this policy direction and currently provides care and treatment to offenders with identified mental health problems at both of our low secure hospitals, Ty Cwm Rhondda and Ty Catrin.

Our inpatient care is suitable for both remand and sentenced prisoners, whose mental health care needs cannot be met within the prison environment. We also provide inpatient care for those offenders diverted from the criminal justice system.

 Procedure

Referrals are accepted 24 hours a day and following receipt, an assessment will be undertaken by members of the multi disciplinary team within 48 hours. The purpose of the assessment will be to initially assess clinical risk for suitability for admission or transfer to our most suitable low secure service. The results of the assessment will enable the team to make recommendations regarding placement and future treatment options within a timely manner, in line with the Bradley Review (Department of Health, April 2009).

In the case of potential prison transfers, one of our Consultant Forensic Psychiatrists will always attend the assessment and will provide an assessment report providing information in order to support recommendations to the relevant Health Board and the Ministry of Justice.

If the need for admission is agreed we maintain excellent links with the Ministry of Justice, that should facilitate the issuing of prompt transfer warrants for;

  • Removal to hospital of persons   serving sentences of imprisonment, etc (Section 47 – with or without   Section 49 restrictions)
  • Removal to hospital of other   prisoners (Section 48 – with or without Section 49 restrictions)

A similar process of providing an assessment report will take place for all potential admissions via Her Majesty’s Court Service and we will provide rapid assessments and information, to inform reports and recommendations for court in respect of;

  • Remand to hospital for report on   accused’s mental condition (Section 35)
  • Remand of accused person to   hospital for treatment (Section 36)
  • Powers of courts to order hospital   admission or guardianship (Section 37 – with or without Section 41   restrictions)
  • Interim hospital orders (Section   38)
  • Power of higher courts to direct   hospital admission (Section 45A – hybrid order)

During the period between assessment and admission, our clinical team will work with all partner agencies including (where applicable) the prison in-reach team, diversion from custody services, Health Board CMHT’s (if applicable) and the Probation service, to obtain all relevant clinical and offending history possible within the confines of data protection legislation. This will be vital in formulating an accurate assessment of presentation, need, level of risk presented and an appropriate treatment and management plan, within the shortest period possible.

Assessment and treatment process following admission

Following admission, we carry out a detailed assessment of the service user and recommend future management and treatment. Our aim is to achieve this within a fixed length of stay of 12 weeks. Any need identified, resulting in a potential extension of this timescale will be agreed with the referrer. Our initial priority is to stabilise the individual's symptoms in the acute phase of their illness or in the case of personality disorder, to effect behavioural stabilisation through positive behavioural support. Once this is achieved a full and detailed assessment will be undertaken, resulting in a report identifying the further appropriate treatment of service users, either in hospital or with a robust care plan in prison or the community.

Our detailed assessment process includes:

  • Full mental and physical health assessment   on admission including a review of all health and social care records.
  • The development and implementation   of Positive Support Plans to guide effective relational support.
  • Continued liaison with the CMHT   and the Prison In Reach Team
  • Full HCR-20 and/or SVR-20   completed for the initial CPA
  • WARRN Risk Formulation
  • Psychology assessments (based on   an individuals identified needs) may include:

Baseline Cognitive and Neuropsychological Assessments (WTAR, WASI, WAIS)

Personality Assessments (PAI, MCMI-III)

Structured Professional Judgements

PCL-R-

Occupational   Therapy assessments (based on an individuals identified needs) may   include:

Interest Checklist

Model of Human Occupation Screening Tool (MOHOST)

Assessment of Motor and Process Skills (AMPS)

Occupational Circumstances Assessment Interview and Rating Scale                     (OCAIRS)

Social Work liaison CPA may include:

Liaison with MAPPA and Probation services

Completed comprehensive social circumstances report

  • An initial CPA held approximately   6 weeks following admission to review current diagnosis, risk profile and   further treatment
  • Interim information to inform   court reports and recommendations
  • Final information   to inform court reports and recommendations
  • Court   report (if requested/required)

TO MAKE A REFERRAL CONTACT OUR REFERRALS MANAGER ON

02920 556300 or 01443 424940 or e-mail referrals@pastoralcymru.com

 

 
 
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