§ Mr. Berminghamasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking or plans to take to divert petty offenders, including the mentally ill and alcoholics, from custody.
§ Mr. MellorThe courts have a wide range of alternatives to custody at their disposal. For mentally disordered offenders who need hospital treatment, the number of places available in regional secure units within the hospital system continues to increase. The courts have recently received up-to-date guidance on their sentencing powers in the new edition of "The Sentence of the Court".