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Select Committee · Justice Committee

Mental Health in Prison

Status: Closed Opened: 20 Apr 2021 Closed: 1 Jun 2022 12 recommendations 21 conclusions 1 report

This inquiry seeks to understand the current scale of mental health need in prisons, and to identify what support exists and whether there are any gaps in provision. Read the terms of reference to find out more about the inquiry .

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Reports

1 report
Title HC No. Published Items Response
5th Report - Mental health in prison HC 72 29 Sep 2021 33 Responded

Recommendations & Conclusions

4 items
2 Conclusion 5th Report - Mental health in prison Acknowledged

Quantify mental health service shortfalls and ensure equivalent prison healthcare provision

The NHS should use its prison mental health treatment ‘needs analysis’ to quantify shortfalls in mental health services, make plans and allocate resources so mental healthcare in prisons is at least equivalent to services outside prisons, having taken account of the specific needs of the prison population. (Paragraph 21) Commissioning …

Government response. The government states the Mental Health Needs Analysis will be used to identify service gaps and inform the upcoming review of the national prison mental health service specification and mental health indicators to ensure appropriate care.
Ministry of Justice
11 Conclusion 5th Report - Mental health in prison Acknowledged

Identify reasons for delayed prisoner health screenings and implement remedial action plans

The NHS should identify why some establishments have difficulties screening prisoners within 24 hours of arrival and should put in place action plans with the healthcare providers at those establishments to remedy this.

Government response. The government highlights mental health as a priority, mentioning ongoing collaboration and efforts by governors to ensure timely healthcare access. HMPPS is looking at promoting positive wellbeing and will recommence a programme of future regime design, but does not commit …
Ministry of Justice
17 Conclusion 5th Report - Mental health in prison Acknowledged

Pandemic restrictions severely impacted prisoners' mental health, increasing future service demand.

Prisoners have shared the anxieties of the general population about possibly becoming ill themselves with covid-19 or their loved ones becoming ill. This has been combined with the most severe restrictions on their daily lives, going beyond those experienced by the general population. For example, family contact was restricted, and …

Government response. The government stated NHS England and NHS Improvement are developing guidance for Integrated Care Systems to manage the continuity of care pathways for the prison population and will incorporate the interface between prison healthcare and parole into a review of …
Ministry of Justice
20 Conclusion 5th Report - Mental health in prison Acknowledged

Severe shortage of mental health inpatient beds leads to inhumane treatment for prisoners.

It is inappropriate that severely mentally ill prisoners are kept in prison, sometimes in segregation. Despite the best efforts of prison staff this can result in periods of inhumane treatment. We welcome the proposal to introduce statutory time limits for transferring prisoners with acute and severe mental illness to appropriate …

Government response. The government stated it is currently reviewing the use and impact of the power that allows severely mentally ill individuals to be kept in prison and considering alternative measures to avoid harm to vulnerable defendants, without committing to specific steps …
Ministry of Justice