As reported by Simon Walters in the Daily Mail, Freed mentally ill prisoners could 'bump someone off' - but they should NOT be in prison, claims Ken Clarke, 13 December 2010, Kenneth Clarke calls his decision to release mentally unstable patients a ‘rehabilitation revolution,’ but is this decision based on a realistic and practical strategy in which the public can have confidence? Increasing the risks to the most vulnerable elements of society, such as children, by releasing offenders with mental disorders could be argued as challenging common sense?
Additionally, the Daily Mail report adds that: ‘Every year, 100 people are killed by someone who has mental health problems. '
Statistics Associated with Crimes Committed by Mentally Disordered Offenders
A Ministry of Justice Bulletin dated 29 January 2010, lays out the following statistics associated with crimes committed by Mentally Disordered Offenders:
- In 2008, the number of patients detained in psychiatric hospitals continued to increase as did the number admitted…….There was however a reduction in the number of those recalled to hospital.
- The number admitted under restricted hospital orders increased slightly compared to 2007 figures from 333 to 343 (or 23% of total admissions). The number transferred from prison to hospital increased compared to 2007, to 926 (or 62% of total admissions);
- 1,500 patients were discharged for the first time between 1999 and the end of 2006. Of the 1,331 matched cases (those located on the Police National Computer), seven percent of those re-offended within two years of discharge. Of those released and matched, two percent re-offended for violent and sexual offences; one percent for grave offences.
Punishment Statistics Associated with Mentally Disordered Criminal Offenders
Between 1998 and 2008 mentally ill offenders involved in crime are shown below:
- Not guilty by reason of insanity totalled 407.
- Recalled after Conditional Discharge 2,054 (No figures recorded after 2004)
- Unfit to Plead 2,006
As reported in the Daily Mail, Kenneth Clarke stated that ‘People would be shocked by how bad the conditions are in some prisons. People think they are hotels. There are quite a few hard nicks out there that would dispel that myth.’
Mr Clarke’s description of the conditions suffered by criminal offenders could be argued to suggest that government should do something to improve conditions for them. Additionally, his remarks could also be interpreted as placing the onus of responsibility on the public who are themselves the victims of criminal offenders.
The reason criminal offenders, and that includes mentally disordered offenders, are prevented from mixing with the general public is a protection issue. Government has a responsibility to protect the law abiding community. Releasing criminal offenders who cannot be charged with offences because of reason of insanity or who are unfit to plead would be a government failing to meet one of its basic responsibilities.
