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Likewise, An Article By Sir David Ramsbotham En D ‘the Needs Of Offending ...


Likewise, an article by Sir David Ramsbotham entitled ‘The Needs of Offending Children in Prison', which was published in the Report from the Conference of the Michael Sieff Foundation entitled ‘The Needs of Offending Children' [available online at http://www.michaelsieff-foundation.org.uk/content/ConfNeedsofOffendingChildren.PDF] reports, at p19, that whilst 95% of young offenders in custody are suffering from mental ill-health, only 10% of the general population are suffering from such problems, disorders or illnesses.
This finding is supported in result, if not precise figures, by a research study which was conducted by the Mental Health Foundation entitled: The Mental Health of Young Offenders. Bright Futures: Working with Vulnerable Young People [Hagell, 2002]. This study stated: Despite methodological hindrances, it is clear from this review of the literature that there is a consensus that young people who offend are likely to have much higher than usual levels of mental health problems. Estimates from research studies suggest that the rates of problems were approximately three times as high as for their peers in the general population. In general, the mental health needs of young offenders are the same as those of the general adolescent population but more acute. [Hagell, 2002, p28].
Regarding whether the prison regime itself is responsible for this prevalence, or merely the fact of incarceration, a study by Nicol et al (2000) found that there was very little difference between the levels of mental needs in those young persons held in prison and those held in other forms of welfare establishment. This implies that the same mental problems, disorders and illnesses which lead a young person to be incarcerated in a welfare institution are also present in those young offenders who break the law and are subsequently sentences to imprisonment.
A study commissioned by the Youth Justice Board [Harrington and Bailey, 2005, p8] seemed to suggest that the mental needs of young persons were reduced as a result of being sent to Prison: Young offenders in the community were found to have significantly more needs than those in secure careNeeds increased for young offenders discharged from secure facilities back into the community, suggesting that needs are only temporarily reduced while in custody.
In conclusion, there is no doubt that the prevalence of mental ill-health amongst young incarcerated offenders is not a new phenomenon, although it is impossible to state with any certainty whether this phenomenon is worse now than it ever has been in history previously.

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