THOUSANDS of people with a mental disorder are currently in prison when they could be receiving specialist treatment, the Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCP) says.

Up to 8,000 prisoners — about 10 per cent of the current prison population in England and Wales —may have been eligible for a community sentence or a suspended prison sentence with a mental health treatment requirement (MHTR).

But a lack of funding means services were unable to deliver them,  the psychiatrists’ union says. 

It estimates that 1,600 people with a mental health disorder serving a prison sentence of under one year are eligible for an MHTR and would have better outcomes, while a further 6,400 serving a sentence of one to four years might also meet the criteria.

The RCP argues that two thirds of these mentally ill people who are given a short sentence instead of a treatment order reoffend within a year, compared with a third of men and 15 per cent of women given a community sentence with a treatment requirement.

It is calling for £12 million of government funding to ensure that courts can put in place treatment orders for all those who may benefit and is calling on psychiatrists, regardless of speciality, to deliver them.

Professor Pamela Taylor, the lead author of the study published today, said: “Too many people with mental disorders who get involved with criminal justice are being failed by a system that overlooks the use of mental health treatment requirements.

“Sending them to prison for quite minor offences may be dangerous for the offender-patients and may harm the wider community too.

“Reoffending rates are high when people are locked away for a short period, while their problems remain unsolved or increase.”

Prof Taylor said thousands of people could benefit from structured, formally supervised care and treatment in the community.

“Psychiatrists are committing themselves to working more and more effectively with this group of people, but the government must also play its part and give mental health services the funding they need,” she said.

Howard League for Penal Reform chief executive Frances Crook said: “It is unconscionable that thousands of people are being sent to prison because of a lack of appropriate mental health provision in the community.

“If someone is unwell with a mental health disorder, it is vital that they are given the help and support they need. Keeping them locked in a cell for hours on end without purpose, in an overcrowded prison where self-injury is rife, will only add to their distress.

“Properly funded community health services can help to guide people away from harm and reduce crime.”

According to the RCP, the cost of sending someone to prison for a year is £35,000, putting savings from treatment orders at least £56m a year.

A Government spokesperson said:

“We do not recognise these figures and are committed to making sure offenders with mental health issues get the support they need to turn away from crime, with initiatives likeCommunity Sentence Treatment Programmes.”