Blurring the Boundaries : The convergence of mental health and criminal justice policy, legislation, systems and practice, by Max Rutherford, shows that more and more people are in touch with both mental health and criminal justice services and that the laws governing each have brought them closer together during the past 20 years.
Blurring the Boundaries cover image - blurred fencingMeasures that have blurred the boundaries between health and justice include the rise of 'forensic' mental health services, the creation of a mental health treatment requirement for people on community sentences and the increasing use of indeterminate prison sentences.
The report finds that in many cases convergence between health and justice benefits people with mental health problems. But there are also serious concerns about convergence.