| “This meeting asks H.M. Government to urge the EU to ban bottom trawling which causes catastrophic loss of marine life.”
(Moved by: Chearsley WI, Buckinghamshire Federation)
(Seconded by: Llawydiarth WI, Powys Montgomery Federation)
_______________________________________
Inappropriate imprisonment of the severely mentally ill
Many people in prison suffer from mental health problems. The Department of Health estimates that, at any one time, at least 5,000 prisoners are severely mentally ill. This resolution is calling for those individuals in society who suffer from a mental illness to be diverted from the prison system so that they can get the healthcare and treatment they need. Prisons are often bleak and overcrowded, and can actually serve to exacerbate mental illness.
Many people working within the criminal justice system have called for better arrangements and adequate resources to enable mentally ill offenders to receive the treatment they need in health settings. They believe that using prison to punish those with serious mental health problems is often unjust and counter-productive, as imprisonment does little or nothing to address their needs, improve well-being or reduce re-offending.
Research from the Home Office found that court diversion schemes can significantly improve re-offending rates and treatment outcomes. It concluded that diverting individuals with mental health disorders from the prison system to a hospital or other safe, therapeutic treatment worked well to protect the public.
In December 2007, the Government announced it had asked Lord Keith Bradley to review the diversion of offenders with mental health problems or learning disabilities away from prison. Lord Bradley is expected to report his findings after the summer. The Government is also due to give a full response to Baroness Jean Corston’s review of vulnerable women in the criminal justice system which recommended local community supervision and support for all but the few serious and violent offenders.
ACTION THAT THE NFWI & NFWI-WALES WILL TAKE:
• UK Government - Write to Alan Johnson MP, Secretary of State for Health, Jack Straw MP, Secretary of State for Justice, David Hanson MP, Minister of State for Justice, Ivan Lewis MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Care Services informing them of the mandate and the concerns of the WI.
• Welsh Assembly Government - Write to Dr Brian Gibbons AM, Minister for Social Justice and Local Government and Edwina Hart MBE AM, Minister for Health and Social Services.
• Monitor and update members on the developments of Lord Bradley and Baroness Corston’s reviews.
ACTION THAT FEDERATIONS AND WIs CAN TAKE:
• Write to your local MPs and AMs informing them of the new mandate and asking them to contact Alan Johnson MP and Jack Straw MP to seek support for the mandate and find out what the Government is doing.
• Write to your local Primary Care Trust (in England) or Local Health Board (in Wales) to find out what they are doing locally and what provision for court diversion currently exists for the mentally ill. There are examples of good practice in various areas but they are not always communicated effectively across the criminal justice system. Ask if local courts have a satisfactory range of mental health services available.
• Speak to the national office or local branch of the following charities to find out more about prisons, mental illness and diversion into healthcare or to get a speaker for your WI meeting.
More information for ideas on practical initiatives on this resolution will be circulated in the August mailing. |