Remands and Psychiatric Assessments in Holloway Prison

Abstract

Remand prisoners diagnosed as psychotic by Holloway's psychiatrists were followed up to time of sentence. Most were referred to outside psychiatrists and then offered beds. Courts invariably enabled the beds to be used. Few women had committed serious offences, and most had been remanded because the courts thought they needed help. The study showed custodial remands to be an unsatisfactory way of seeking treatment for psychotic offenders. Alternatives need to be developed urgently. For psychotic people who continue to be remanded in custody, transfers rather than court orders should initially be used to effect admission.