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Record numbers of criminals with mental disorders are being held in secure hospitals, new figures have revealed.Record numbers of criminals with mental disorders are being held in secure hospitals, new figures have revealed.
The figures for England and Wales show the number of "restricted patients" rose to 3,906 at the end of 2007 - the largest increase for 10 years.The figures for England and Wales show the number of "restricted patients" rose to 3,906 at the end of 2007 - the largest increase for 10 years.
Of those detained, 75% were diagnosed as having a mental illness and 13% were diagnosed with a psychopathic disorder.Of those detained, 75% were diagnosed as having a mental illness and 13% were diagnosed with a psychopathic disorder.
"Restricted patients" are subject to a restriction order made by a court to protect the public from serious harm. Restricted patients are subject to a restriction order made by a court to protect the public from serious harm.
'Reason of insanity''Reason of insanity'
"Psychopathic disorder" is a legal term used to describe "a persistent disorder or disability of mind ... which results in abnormally aggressive or seriously irresponsible conduct" under the 1983 Mental Health Act.
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) figures also showed the number of those detained in hospital following transfer from prison was up 21% to 968 - the largest increase in 10 years.The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) figures also showed the number of those detained in hospital following transfer from prison was up 21% to 968 - the largest increase in 10 years.
The "restricted patients" category also includes people declared "unfit to plead" by a judge or found "not guilty by reason of insanity". The restricted patients category also includes people declared unfit to plead by a judge or found not guilty by reason of insanity.
An MoJ spokesman said: "The government is committed to ensuring mentally disordered offenders receive the treatment they need, at the same time protecting the public from any threat they may pose.An MoJ spokesman said: "The government is committed to ensuring mentally disordered offenders receive the treatment they need, at the same time protecting the public from any threat they may pose.
"The higher hospital admission figures reflect the availability of new specialist secure facilities, increasing the ability of sentencing courts to divert mentally disordered offenders from prison at the point of sentencing.""The higher hospital admission figures reflect the availability of new specialist secure facilities, increasing the ability of sentencing courts to divert mentally disordered offenders from prison at the point of sentencing."
Grave offencesGrave offences
The spokesman added that every prison in England has access to "mental health in-reach teams" and that the government invests £20 million a year on these services.The spokesman added that every prison in England has access to "mental health in-reach teams" and that the government invests £20 million a year on these services.
The MoJ also revealed that 14 former patients committed "grave" offences - such as homicide, rape and robbery - within two years of being discharged from hospital, in a seven-year period to the end of 2005. The MoJ also revealed that 14 former patients committed "grave" offences - such as homicide, rape and robbery - within two years of being discharged from hospital in a seven-year period to the end of 2005.
The figures show that 77 patients discharged by a mental health review tribunal or with the consent of the justice or home secretary re-offended - 7% of all those discharged. The figures show that 77 patients subsequently reoffended after they had been discharged by a mental health review tribunal or with the consent of the justice or home secretary.
The figure represented 7% of all those discharged.
The MoJ said that in December 2007 Justice Secretary Jack Straw asked Lord Bradley to undertake a review into the diversion away from prison of offenders with mental health or learning disability problems.The MoJ said that in December 2007 Justice Secretary Jack Straw asked Lord Bradley to undertake a review into the diversion away from prison of offenders with mental health or learning disability problems.
The report on his findings is due to be published in the spring.The report on his findings is due to be published in the spring.