Full rollout of Liaison and Diversion by 2020

The Government is to extent two programs to ensure offenders with mental health issues are not placed in prison.

On Tuesday (July 12), Care and Support Minister Alistair Burt confirmed that £12 million will be invested in the further roll out of Liaison and Diversion services in police custody suites and criminal courts across England.

The services – provided by the NHS – ensure that offenders with mental health issues have fair access to justice and that, where appropriate, vulnerable people can be diverted away from the criminal justice system into treatment and care.

Mr Burt said: “We have made monumental strides in the way we think about and treat mental illness in this country in the last few decades – but people with a mental illness, learning disabilities or autism still need support when they come into contact with the criminal justice system.

“Expanding the successful Liaison and Diversion schemes will help make sure these factors are taken into account so more vulnerable people have their needs considered.”

Currently 50,000 people a year are assessed by Liaison and Diversion services following arrest – almost 70 per cent require mental health support.

This new funding will extend the services from the current 50 per cent population coverage to 75 per cent by 2018, including all major urban areas.

The Government says, subject to evaluation, a full roll out across England should be achieved by 2020.

Since their inception in 2014, the Liaison and Diversion programmes have identified and assessed over 71,000 vulnerable adults, children and young people.

Christina Marriott, chief executive of Revolving Doors Agency – a charity which works to improve services for those with mental health issues – said getting the right help to someone who is in crisis because of their mental health is crucial, especially when they are in contact with the police.

“We welcome this next step from government towards delivering on its commitment that anyone who is in police custody or in court will have their mental health, learning disability, substance misuse assessed and will be helped to access the treatment and support they need,” she said.

“Through our work we have seen the incredible difference this service can make to people. Lives can, and have been, turned around.”

Director of the Prison Reform Trust Juliet Lyon said: “Extending Liaison and Diversion services will help to ensure a fairer and better response to the many men, women and children with mental health needs and learning disabilities caught up in the justice system.”