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Psychiatric problems of detainees under the Anti-Terrorism Crime and Security Act 2001

Traumatic Stress Service, St George’s Hospital, London SW17 8DN and Professor of Mental Health Practice, University of Surrey, e-mail: i.robbins{at}surrey.ac.uk

James MacKeith, Emeritus Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist

South London and Maudsley Hospital NHS Trust, London

Sophie Davison, Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist

Guy’s Hospital, Guy House, London

Michael Kopelman, Professor of Neuropsychiatry

King’s College London

Clive Meux, Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist

Oxford Clinic Medium Secure Unit, Littlemore

Sumi Ratnam, Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist

The John Howard Centre, London

David Somekh, Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist

Central and NorthWest London Mental Health NHS Trust, Epsom

Richard Taylor, Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist

North London Forensic Service, Enfield

Declaration of interest

All of the authors were initially instructed by solicitors and received payment for the preparation of the original independent reports on which this article is based.

AIMS AND METHOD

To provide a composite view of the impact of indefinite detention under the Anti-Terrorism Crime and Security Act 2001. Until recently, a number of detainees had been detained under this legislation since December 2001. The impact of this on eight detainees and three of their spouses is examined through qualitative analysis of 48 reports and documents compiled by 11 psychiatrists and 1 psychologist.

RESULTS

Detention has had a severe adverse impact on the mental health of all detainees and the spouses interviewed. All were clinically depressed and a number had post-traumatic stress disorder. The indefinite nature of detention was a major factor in their deterioration.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

The use of indefinite detention without trial has severe adverse consequences that may pose insurmountable problems for the prison healthcare system.

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