THE BENTHAM UNIT - A PILOT REMAND AND ASSESSMENT SERVICE FOR MALE MENTALLY DISORDERED REMAND PRISONERS .2. REPORT OF AN INDEPENDENT EVALUATION

Background Findings are presented from an evaluation of a pilot remand and assessment service - the Bentham Unit. The aims of the Bentham Un it are to provide rapid assessment, identify mentally disordered reman d prisoners, and speed their transfer from prison to NHS care, where a need is indicated. Method The number, rate and speed of referral, ass essment and transfer to NHS care of offenders remanded to Wormwood Scr ubs prison during periods before and after the Bentham Unit opened wer e compared. Results The service attracted a large volume of referrals. Between the two periods, significant increases in the numbers of refe rrals and hospital disposals, and major reductions in the interval bet ween reception on remand into the prison, NHS assessment and transfer to NHS care, were observed. Conclusions The aims of the unit were met. implications for service configurations are discussed.