ABSTRACT
In October 1990 the Home Office issued a circular, 66/90 which provided a lead for local agencies on dealing with the problem of mentally disordered offenders within the criminal justice system. The circular highlighted four examples of diversion schemes then in operation including the North West Hertfordshire Assessment Panel Scheme, and the Psychiatric Assessment Service at Bow Street and Great Marlborough Street Magistrates Courts. One of the most important elements of the panel assessment approach is communication. Another element which made panel assessment such a significant development was the acceptance of joint responsibility for the mentally disordered offender among participants which was fundamental to this way of working. Home Office Circular 66/90 and the Reed Report draw attention to the usefulness of psychiatric assessment at Court, in identifying people with mental health problems and enabling them to be diverted from the criminal justice system.
