MSPs call for better mental health care for young offenders

Better mental health support is needed for young people in secure care or detained in a young offenders’ institution, according to a Holyrood committee report published today.

MSPs on the Justice Committee are calling for assessments of a young person’s needs to be made within the first days of their incarceration, and consistent, high-quality physical, educational and mental health support to be provided after that.

The committee decided to hold an inquiry following the deaths in Polmont YOI of William Brown and Katie Allan, the latest of 11 reported deaths of young people held in Polmont since 2005.

It heard evidence that over 60% of young people who offend have significant speech, language and communication needs, and significant numbers also self-harm or have attempted suicide. Despite this, it found a "postcode lottery" in the provision of child and adolescent mental health support, particularly in secure care units outside of Glasgow.

Further concern is expressed over on the potential for social isolation in secure care homes, particularly for young people held on remand. 

The MSPs also call for more flexibility to allow a young person the possibility of remaining in a secure care unit beyond their 18th birthday, if this is found to be in their best interests. At present, people held in secure care units must move to Polmont YOI on turning 18 even if they only have a short period left, thereby potentially disrupting their care regime.

And they urge the Government to rethink the funding model for secure care from March 2020, when the current model is due to end. Either block funding or national commissioning (as opposed to local authority commissioning at present) would help ensure secure care units spend more time and effort focusing on helping those in their care, and less time on their own financial sustainability, members believe. 

Committee convener Margaret Mitchell MSP commented: "We know that many young offenders and people in secure care have themselves had traumatic childhoods, and have lived through adverse childhood experiences.

"Every effort must be made to ensure that these often vulnerable young people, who are in the care of the state, are in a safe environment, where they are provided with, and take, opportunities to rehabilitate. Sadly we are currently not achieving this in all cases, sometimes with the most tragic consequences.

"The committee has highlighted a number of areas where improvements might be made.

"In particular, there is a pressing need for better mental health support, and improved contacts with family and friends. This would help young people to reintegrate, as well as to reduce the social isolation faced by young people on the inside."

Click here to view the committee's report.