Increasing the power of psychiatric court diversion: a new model of supra-district diversion centre

The object was to develop and evaluate a new concentrated model of psychiat ric diversion scheme at the magistrates' court, designed to maximize the po tential of such interventions. A one-year prospective study was undertaken of a consecutive series of 264 referrals to the new diversion project at an Inner London magistrates' court, with concurrent examination of police sta tion custody records, magistrates' court returns, hospital admission data a nd remand prison transfer records for an area with a population of 500,000. The results showed that this one scheme originated 12.8% of all the unrest ricted hospital orders in England under section 37 of the Mental Health Act 1983, 4.2% of section 35 orders, and 6.4% of section 48 and 48/49 remand p risoner transfers. Of all arrests in the central London area, 0.46% were re ferred to the scheme, with 0.28% being admitted. The seriousness of the cha rge did not have a significant effect on whether or not admission was achie ved (p=0.5365). The new model is a powerful intervention in the assessment and diversion of mentally disordered offenders. Similar supra-district dive rsion centres may have a role to play in other areas, complementing other l ocal diversion exercises, some of which might better be relocated to the po lice station.