News
Review shows need for improved custodial care
Download page as PDFThe latest report by the Office of the Inspector of Custodial Services (OICS) highlights the major shortfalls in mental health care for people in custody.
Research shows that people in custody suffer from significantly higher rates of mental illness than the general population. While incarceration serves a necessary function of protecting the community, people in custody have the right to access appropriate mental health care. This is especially true for those seeking to use a Crisis Care Unit (CCU) during a mental health crisis.
Appropriate crisis care is essential to improving long-term mental health outcomes. Crisis care should be focused not just on suicide prevention, but appropriate therapeutic support. Crisis Care Units should be designed in line with therapeutic best practice, while support should be available from trained mental health professionals, not prison support staff.
Untreated mental health crises in custody exacerbate the risk not only for the people seeking care, but for their families, custodial staff and the community at large. It’s in the best interest of the entire community that people in custody are receiving appropriate mental health care to aid in rehabilitation and reduce the risk of recidivism.
I support the Inspector of Custodial Services’ recommendations to improve the safety, wellbeing and care of people in prison and I welcome the steps the Department of Justice have taken so far to improve mental health care for people in custody.
Dr Nathan Gibson
Chief Psychiatrist of Western Australia