UNMET NEEDS OF REMAND PRISONERS

A needs assessment protocol which examines 11 problem areas was devise d. This was administered to 277 prisoners on remand at Brixton Prison. We found high levels of unmet need for housing, treatment of substanc e abuse and neurotic symptoms. Twenty-nine per cent were transferred t o hospital under the provisions of the Mental Health Act and about a t hird of those at liberty to do so complied with a discharge plan. Dive rsion and discharge planning can potentially meet the unmet needs of r emand prisoners.