ABSTRACT
There is always a tendency when approaching an issue as complex and difficult to resolve as the problem of mentally disordered offenders in prison, to concentrate on the obstacles to successful outcomes. It is useful to have one or more outside speakers who can give an overview of the situation regarding mentally disordered offenders. When designing a new system to divert mentally disordered offenders from custody it is easy to be disheartened by the size and complexity of the problem. If the CPN, undertaking a screening exercise in the police station discovers that mentally disordered offenders are frequently not being identified by the Custody Officers, there is one possible step which may be taken immediately to remedy the problem. The Custody Officer has a special responsibility under S38 of PACE if he has reason to believe that a prisoner may be mentally disordered.
