90% of the individuals admitted to PSNI custody suites have mental health problems
An eye-popping statistic emerged during the PSNI 15 Years On conference this week. While reflecting on the complex web of causal factors surrounding crime we learnt that ninety percent of the individuals admitted to PSNI custody suites had mental health problems. Ninety percent. Many had self harmed, some were at risk of suicide. This raises the question -is the custody suite the correct place in which to detain these people? Would an acute mental health assessment unit not be a …