Section 136 of the Mental Health Act.

What is it about?

Section 136 of the Mental Health Act is unusual being both an aspect of the Mental Health Act and a power of arrest. It has a long and controversial history related to concerns about who has been detained and how the section was applied. More recently, Section 136 has had a public profile stemming from the use of police cells as places of safety for young, mentally disturbed individuals. This paper explores this piece of legislation.

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Why is it important?

The interface between mental health services and the criminal justice system presents challenges both for professionals and patients.