Call for action on mentally ill prisoners

THE Royal Court has urged the States to address the growing problem of dealing with mentally ill prisoners.

On Friday the court, which was dealing with the case of a man who attacked his own father and sister, asked the prosecution to speak to both the Health Minister and the relevant Scrutiny panel to address the issue.

Over the past 12 months, a number of cases have come before the Royal Court in which mentally ill criminals have been sentenced to prison at La Moye instead of to specialist institutions in the UK capable of dealing with them, as requested by defence advocates. These requests have been turned down because of the huge cost involved.

On Friday, during the sentencing of 28-year-old John Highfield, Commissioner Francis Hamon called for the Crown Advocate to contact the Health Minister (Deputy Anne Pryke) and the relevant Scrutiny panel (Health and Social Services) to address the problem of helping mentally ill prisoners in Jersey. (from JEP)

I cannot see how it can be right that the prison staff deal with mentally ill prisoners, they have no proper training or facilities

Is this the same position in Guernsey as well? Do not know but probably...............






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I don't know - but I often wonder when I see someone with a drink problem being locked up - likewise drug addicts......surely there should be other places that could help these people instead of just locking them up and ignoring the problem...

I guess it is down to economies of scale. In the UK there are the resources as there is the demand, but do we have sufficient needs..... and can we afford to consider alternatives when all the money is being spent at too fast a rate on glorified States projects?





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My husband was in prison last year at the same time as a local lad "X" who has severe learning difficulties. He, (hubby) was asked by the prison officers to keep an eye on "X" and to help him at meal times etc. They (the officers) were of the opinion that "X" should not have been in prison but that there was nowhere else for him to go. "X" has been inside several times since as he tends to lash out when he feels that people are making fun of him. He just can't cope with day to day living and always ends up in prison. Very sad

Hmmm.... the UK term this 'care in the communty'!!! Not much 'caring' going on...... is there?




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