Prevalence of mental health problems and unmet needs in police custody
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Prevalence of mental illness and unmet needs of detainees in police custody.
IRAS ID
103882
Contact name
Andrew Forrester
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
South London and Maudsley NHS Foundatation Trust
Research summary
Previous research has noted the high levels of health morbidity, particularly mental health problems issues in offender populations. Fewer studies have described health issues in people taken into police custody. This study is focused on detainees coming through police custody. The study aims to establish the prevalence of detainees with mental health problems and their needs for mental health and other relevant services. During a two-week period individuals taken into police custody at one South London police station will be screened using a series of brief questionnaires. Interviews will be conducted by three researchers trained to complete the measures for identifying mental illness, learning disability, personality disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder, drug and alcohol dependence, and met and unmet needs.
The study will aim to recruit 133 eligible detainees who enter police custody during the specified period. The exclusion criteria includes detainees not considered safe for interview as determined by the custody sergeant and those unable to give informed consent to participate in the study. The main ethical issues concern detainees who lack the capacity to provide informed consent, those who are distressed or intoxicated on arrival and during the research interview, and the length of time needed to carry out assessments for research purposes.REC name
London - Dulwich Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
13/LO/0947
Date of REC Opinion
18 Sep 2013
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion