A joint initiative between the Department of Health, NOMS and the Ministry of Justice

The Dangerous People with Severe Personality Disorder Programme brings together the Ministry of Justice (originally part of the Home Office), the Department of Health, Her Majesty’s Prison Service and the National Health Service to deliver new mental health services for people who are or have previously been considered dangerous as a result of severe personality disorder(s).

The main objectives of this pilot programme are:

• Improved public protection
• Provision of new treatment services improving mental health outcomes and reducing risk, and
• Understanding of what works in treatment and management of those who meet DSPD criteria

The underpinning philosophy of the DSPD Programme is that public protection will be best served by addressing the mental health needs of a previously neglected group.

The Government made a commitment in its 2001 manifesto to develop, pilot and deliver new services specifically for people who present a high risk of committing serious sexual and /or violent offences as a result of severe personality disorder. The 2001 Manifesto committed to delivering 300 new DSPD places in high secure hospitals and prisons.

The pilot services cover England and Wales. In addition to the 300 high secure places for men, the programme also provides:

• 75 medium secure and community places with community teams
• A pilot service for women
• A research and development programme

You can read more about each of these on this site.

The DSPD programme is about working with some of the most difficult and dangerous people in society and faces a range of challenges in terms of assessment, treatment and management of this group, the delivery of effective services and the longer term prospects of reducing the risk of re-offending.

By its nature this programme is a pilot and still evolving.

This website will enable you to stay abreast of developments.

Back to top ^