April 30, 2009: Howard League Respond To Bradley

Commenting on the publication of Lord Bradley's report on people with mental health problems and learning difficulties in the Criminal Justice System, Assistant Director at the Howard League for Penal Reform, Andrew Neilson, said:

"This is a landmark report in that it reviews the issue of mental health across the criminal justice system from first point of contact to resettlement on leaving prison. Lord Bradley has recognised that the system currently lacks a national vision on diversion and the need to engage mainstream health and social care services. Far too many individuals with mental health needs languish in prison, an institution which is singularly unsuited to help and which indeed only exacerbates their problems."

"We particularly welcome the recommendations to establish local criminal justice mental health teams and the need for an urgent review to implement early intervention and diversion services for children and young people with mental health needs."

"Ultimately, the proof will be in the pudding. Lord Bradley was commissioned to write this report in a completely different economic climate and we are concerned how easy it will be to take the report's agenda forward at a time of severely straitened public finances. What is clear, however, is that investment now will mean immense benefits in the future, both financial and in terms of people's lives and society as a whole."

The Government has also responded to the Bradley Report.

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