Last week Justine Greening, vice-chair (youth) at the Conservative Party, also asked in Parliament how many young offenders were referred to local child and adolescent mental health services.
The figures show that both acute and non-acute referrals increased dramatically from 2002 to 2003. While acute levels have since stabilised, non-acute numbers have dropped back to 2002 levels at just over 500.
Replying to Greening, health minister Ivan Lewis said: "A combined screening and assessment method for mental health, physical health and substance misuse of young people in the young people's estate is currently in development."
Bill Kerslake, head of policy for health and substance misuse at the Youth Justice Board, says: "Sadly, young people in custody often face particular or acute mental health problems. This doesn't reduce the impact their behaviour has had on their communities but it can make tackling it properly all the more difficult."
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