The links between justice and public health: a major issue for psychiatry and the public authorities

The level of cooperation between legal and healthcare professionals in psychiatry has increased significantly as a result of the greater emphasis on safety and security and the increasing tendency to place mental disorders in a judicial or legal context. As a result of the many new laws that have been passed since 1998, psychiatrists are increasingly required "to treat criminal recidivism and prevent violent behavior". These issues have been highlighted by the scientific, medical and legal community, though without ever resulting in any action by the public authorities. Based on an examination of the care provided to a prisoner before, during and after incarceration, this study suggests that despite the existing regulatory framework and the abundance of data on the provision of care (including psychiatric care), a comprehensive review of the current system is required. To what extent is care management effective and consistent? Are the stated economic objectives achievable? This paper argues that in a prison context the range of healthcare options needs to be clearly defined and laid out in order to provide mental health patients and mental health professionals with a realistic vision of care provision.