Unfitness to Plead Consultation Responses - Law Commission ...

Prisoners and the Mental Health Act
People sent to hospital (rather than prison) under Part III of the Mental Health Act
During 2007/08, the courts in England sent a total of 1,400 people to hospital for
treatment under the Mental Health Act (Part III). Some were sent by the courts at the
time of sentencing, while others were transferred from prison to hospital. During 2007/08
the courts in Wales sent 103 people to hospital.
People detained in high security hospitals under Part III of the Mental Health Act
In England, a total of 7,500 people were sent to secure hospitals (Place of Safety
Orders) during 2007/08 - most of these were to an NHS hospital. That means the figures
have trebled since 1997/98 when the number of Place of Safety Orders was 2,483. In
Wales, a total of 367 people were put on Place of Safety detention in 2007/08. The
figures have increased since 2003/04 when 262 people in Wales were sent to secure
hospitals.
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