One part of our job at PEP is to divert people who have long term mental health issues away from the criminal justice system. For example one older client who suffers from extreme paranoia, worried about the possibility of being attacked, mentions he might start to carry a knife in self defence. Our task is to dissuade him, point out the possible repercussions so, among other things, we invite the local community safety police officer along to chat to the group.
Yesterday, another older client - who is completely without family - is visited by the police for non-payment of a fine. He doesn't have the £10 needed to clear the debt so the police have no option but to cart him off to the cells. Fortunately, he is recognised by the same police officer who previously visited and he delays lifting the client, comes along to PEP to see if we can help. £10 paid, client free as a bird...thank the Lord for a bit of lateral thinking by the cop...and just how much would it have cost to bang said client up in the cells? Much, much more than a tenner methinks.
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