RCPsych responds to benefit changes for mentally unwell offenders detained in hospital

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The UK Government has announced that universal credit will be withdrawn from people who have a mental illness and are being detained in hospital after having committed a serious criminal offence. 

Responding to the announcement, Dr Lade Smith CBE, President of the Royal College of Psychiatrists said:

“We recognise the devastating impact that serious crimes have on victims and their loved ones. Although rare, each act of violence by someone with mental illness is a tragedy and more should be done for the victims and their families, who deserve the best possible support and compensation available.

“The best way of reducing the likelihood of these tragic incidents from occurring is to ensure that people who have a mental illness have comprehensive access to effective mental healthcare and treatment.

“It is disappointing that support for vulnerable mentally ill people is being stripped back further when mental health services are already overstretched, underfunded and struggling to meet rising levels of need. We can only surmise that this is due to a lack of understanding of severe mental illness and the fact that it is treatable and relapse preventable.

“Universal credit ensures patients in secure settings have toiletries, clothing and other basic items which play a vital role in the recovery and rehabilitation process. This helps them prepare to return to their communities where they will face significantly reduced life chances. Removing their support is simply counterproductive as it will increase the likelihood of relapse and this might increase the risk posed to others.

“These proposals go against a hundred years of progressive thinking which has consistently shown that psychiatric treatment and rehabilitation of mentally unwell offenders is more effective and of greater benefit to individual and public protection than simply punishing mentally ill people. These plans will increase the inequity and stigma faced by people who are already subject to punitive conditions and particularly affect those who have both a mental illness and a learning disability.

“The UK Government must consider these concerns carefully and decide whether we as a society need a system that penalises people for being mentally unwell or one which provides effective care, reduces risk and helps them lead more productive lives.”