The Bentham Unit: a pilot remand and assessment service for male mentally disordered remand prisoners. I: Clinical activity in the first year, and related ethical, practical and funding issues.
BACKGROUND
Because of continuing concern regarding the inadequacy of existing NHS provision for mentally disordered remand prisoners, the Bentham Unit was commissioned as a pilot project to provide rapid assessment and, where appropriate, hospital admission for such prisoners from the former North West Thames catchment area.


METHODS
Information is presented on the 150 referrals and 62 admissions in the first year of the service's operation.


RESULTS
The service met the Reed Report targets for assessment time. Most of those referred were previously known to psychiatric services. The alleged offences were more serious than anticipated. Those admitted were transferred to appropriate services at the conclusion of their court cases, and remained in contact with services three months later. Waiting for the conclusion of court proceedings significantly prolonged the length of stay. Substantial cost transfers from the criminal justice system to the health system were evident.


CONCLUSIONS
Adequate services for mentally disordered remand prisoners are entirely achievable; provision of such services is a resource issue, not a clinical problem.
Murray
K
K
Bentham Unit, West London Healthcare NHS Trust, Southall, Middlesex.
Akinkunmi
A
A
Lock
M
M
Brown
R
R
D000328:Adult; D003134:Commitment of Persons with Psychiatric Disorders / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003415:Crime / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004739:England; D005380:Financing, Government; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006778:Hospitals, Psychiatric / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011329:Prisoners / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012017:Referral and Consultation