Mentally unwell prisoner support
Absence of clear support mechanisms for mentally unwell prisoners remitted to prison from secure hospitals.
Strongest theme matches
Mixed across source types and ranked by classifier confidence plus text match strength.
Committee recommendation
100match
#4 - Establish clear support for mentally unwell prisoners remitted to prison from secure hospitals
Additionally, there are a small number of mentally unwell prisoners who are subsequently transferred to a secure mental hospital. For these prisoners, the process for post-tariff release is more complex, and we are not clear what support is offered to those who, after a period of treatment, are no longer deemed detainable under the Mental Health Act 1983,...
Matched on
terms: mentally, prisoner, support, unwell
IMB recommendation
85match
Nottingham (2024)
Again, the Board raises its continuing concern about prisoners who are seriously mentally unwell being held in prison and frequently having to be detained in the Care and Separation Unit. Prison is not the appropriate environment for prisoners who are severely mentally unwell. We again ask for greater provision to be made available for such prisoners so they...
Matched on
terms: mentally, prisoner, unwell
IMB recommendation
85match
Styal (2025)
Too many vulnerable and very mentally unwell prisoners have been sent to prison due to a lack of suitable services in the community. What progress has been made to increase the number of secure mental health placements in the region and improve timely access?
Matched on
terms: mentally, prisoner, unwell
IMB recommendation
81match
High Down (2024)
The Government should improve outcomes for mentally unwell prisoners in detention, addressing the issue of them being held in the CSRU for long periods despite failing the medical algorithm.
Matched on
terms: mentally, prisoner, unwell
IMB recommendation
81match
Coldingley (2024)
Does the Prison Service agree that segregated conditions are not appropriate for prisoners who are mentally unwell? What steps are being taken to address this?
Matched on
terms: mentally, prisoner, unwell
PFD report
77match
Lewis Petryszyn
The coroner identified an absence of prescribed timeframes in policies for substance misuse intervention and support for prisoners, which poses a risk of delayed assistance.
Matched on
terms: prisoner, support
PFD report
77match
Samuel Stewart
No action was taken by the prison or healthcare after a prisoner on a drug-free wing tested positive for non-prescribed drugs. Pathways for positive test results were unclear or not followed, leading to a missed opportunity to support the individual.
Matched on
terms: prisoner, support
IMB recommendation
77match
Lewes (2023)
Will the Minister speak to colleagues to seek to ensure that there are sufficient beds in secure mental health hospitals to speed up the transfer of prisoners and support their rehabilitation?
Matched on
terms: prisoner, support
IMB recommendation
77match
Doncaster (2024)
The Board remains extremely concerned about the length of time it takes for a mentally ill patients to be transferred to a secure hospital. All too often, prison managers have few options open to them during this ‘waiting’ period and prisoners are invariably held in the CSU, resulting in a further deterioration of their mental health. When and...
Matched on
terms: mentally, prisoner
IMB recommendation
77match
Fosse Way (2025)
The issue of severe mental health and the actions necessary to resolve, continue to be ignored. Too many prisoners should be in secure mental health hospitals/establishments and not remain in the general prison population. How will the prison service ensure prisoners with complex mental health challenges receive the support they need in appropriate facilities?
Matched on
terms: prisoner, support
IMB recommendation
77match
Coldingley (2025)
The Prison Service should take action to get mentally unwell men out of unsuitable accommodation and into secure hospitals far more quickly.
Matched on
terms: mentally, unwell
IMB annual report
75match
Berwyn (2025)
HMP Berwyn, a Category C training prison with an operational capacity of 2000, also accommodates B category and remand prisoners. While the Board noted improvements in staff training, purposeful activity, and resettlement outcomes, the prison continues to face significant challenges. These include high levels of self-harm, violence, and drug use, as well as critical issues with mental health...
Matched on
terms: mentally, prisoner, unwell
PFD report
73match
James Spencer
The coroner noted inadequate training for support officers in recognising drug-related collapse, particularly regarding risks for recently released prisoners. Review of induction policies, staff training, and ongoing updates was recommended to improve officer awareness and resident safety.
Matched on
terms: prisoner, support
PFD report
73match
Jacob Billington
The coroner identified insufficient interagency communication and information sharing for high-risk prisoners with mental health needs upon release, highlighting fragmented IT systems and a lack of cross-agency guidance for community support.
Matched on
terms: prisoner, support
PFD report
73match
William Bissett
The coroner identified late engagement by the Community Offender Manager and insufficient planning for the prisoner's accommodation upon release. Concerns include a failure to inform local authorities about impending homelessness and a lack of support for the prisoner to understand his release conditions.
Matched on
terms: prisoner, support
IMB recommendation
73match
Dovegate (2023)
The number of secure mental health spaces available is not adequate for the number of seriously mentally ill prisoners. Funding for more spaces is desperately required.
Matched on
terms: mentally, prisoner
IMB recommendation
73match
Stocken (2024)
It takes too long to transfer mentally ill prisoners to secure mental health facilities. This often means that they have to be held in the Care and Separation Unit (CSU) for their own safety for extended periods of time. What is the Minister doing in conjunction with the Department of Health to address the shortfall in secure mental...
Matched on
terms: mentally, prisoner
IMB recommendation
73match
Dovegate (2024)
The number of secure mental health spaces available is not adequate for the number of seriously mentally ill prisoners. The length of time prisoners wait for a space in these units and the number of people they assault in this time is significant. When and how will the Minister address this urgent issue?
Matched on
terms: mentally, prisoner
PFD report
69match
Thomas Nicol
The coroner noted concerns that the time taken to transfer prisoners in acute mental health crisis to a suitable secure hospital may place lives at risk.
Matched on
terms: prisoner
Committee recommendation
69match
#5 - 4th Report - Coronavirus (Covid-19): The impact on prisons
We recommend that the Ministry of Justice set out what additional mental health support is available for prisoners and what their long-term plan is to mitigate the effect lockdown may have on the mental health of prisoners should prisons remain in this current phase for a prolonged period.
Matched on
terms: prisoner, support
Committee recommendation
69match
#29 - Fifteenth Report - Improving the prison estate
Both the Institute of Criminology at the University of Cambridge and the Prison Reform Trust told us that while the worst-case scenario for deaths from the pandemic had been avoided, the cost to the mental health of prisoners was certain to be very high..65 We asked how HMPPS was addressing the impact of this on the mental health...
Matched on
terms: prisoner, support
IMB recommendation
69match
Wandsworth (2020)
The Board was very concerned that the 12-bed Addison unit remained unfit for purpose, with insufficient beds and cells frequently awaiting repair. The waiting time for a bed in the unit was up to seven days. What is being done to improve capacity for mentally ill prisoners?
Matched on
terms: mentally, prisoner
IMB recommendation
69match
Aylesbury (2021)
Reduce the number of the seriously mentally ill being sentenced to incarceration; at the same time, ensure that a greater number of emergency mental health beds are available for prisoners in extreme need.
Matched on
terms: mentally, prisoner
IMB recommendation
69match
Onley (2025)
The increase in prisoners with severe mental health issues puts considerable strain on the staff. What additional support can be provided for such prisoners or what alternative, more suitable accommodation can be found for them?
Matched on
terms: prisoner, support
IMB recommendation
69match
Dovegate (2025)
The demand for specialised provision for prisoners with mental health and/or personality disorders needs remains higher than the provision available. Will the Prison Service create a structured plan to increase both spaces and staff to support them, with clinical staff as well as administrative?
Matched on
terms: prisoner, support
CJINI report
66match
Northern Ireland Prison Service Vulnerable Prisoners
Matched on
terms: prisoner
CJINI report
66match
The Treatment of Vulnerable Prisoners by the Northern Ireland Prison Service
Matched on
terms: prisoner
PFD report
65match
Liridon Saliuka
The coroner noted a lack of clear documentation regarding required disability adjustments for the prisoner and insufficient disability awareness among prison staff.
Matched on
terms: prisoner
PFD report
65match
Marlin Burrows
The coroner identified that a welfare sheet for monitoring prisoner health lacked clear purpose and completion guidance. Entries by prison staff were not consistently made known to medical staff, and its operation had not been jointly considered by prison and healthcare.
Matched on
terms: prisoner
PFD report
65match
Marta Vento
The coroner raised concerns regarding the absence of a formal process for prisons to share information about a remand prisoner's behaviour and risks with sentencing courts. There is also a lack of national guidance for all prison healthcare providers to ensure continuity of mental health care for prisoners upon release.
Matched on
terms: prisoner
PFD report
65match
Paul Thompson
The coroner identified inadequate procedures at HMP Norwich for releasing prisoners requiring mental health care, specifically regarding arranging follow-up. Concerns were also raised about insufficient information sharing with Probation Services and unclear guidance for released prisoners.
Matched on
terms: prisoner
PFD report
65match
George Haldenby
The coroner notes a lack of mandatory refresher first aid and CPR training for prison staff. Additionally, there are issues with delays in prisoners receiving essential medications prescribed on FP10 forms outside of hours, and an absence of a clear policy for managing such prescriptions.
Matched on
terms: prisoner
IOPC learning recommendation
65match
Man found dead after being reported missing - Thames Valley Police, April 2018
Thames Valley Police’s (TVP) custody records contain a question asking detainees “If you are suffering from mental health problems, depression or considered mentally vulnerable we must put specific support in place. Do you need this support? If yes, give details”. During the course of the investigation it was identified that custody staff do not routinely ask whether detained...
Matched on
terms: mentally, support
IMB recommendation
65match
Leicester (2020)
Although the numbers are small, and the Gatekeeping process has improved, the Board has still had to report that two prisoners were held for a long time in inhumane conditions with deteriorating mental health while waiting for secure hospital accommodation (see section 6.2.1). In his reply to the Board’s previous report, the minister stated that ‘NHS England and...
Matched on
terms: prisoner
IMB recommendation
65match
Lindholme (2025)
The Board asks that, in regard to those prisoners who have undertaken a gatekeeping assessment, the Director-General considers providing prison management with further resources, such that they will have increased options when assessing where to locate a prisoner whilst waiting for a bed in a secure hospital.
Matched on
terms: prisoner
Committee recommendation
64match
#2 - Fifty-Second Report - Key challenges facing the Ministry of Justice
The pandemic has significantly impacted the wellbeing and life chances of prisoners, making it critical that the Ministry and HMPPS accelerate their work to improve the mental health of prisoners. The need for restrictive regimes to maintain social distancing in prisons during the pandemic has exacerbated the existing mental health challenges that prisoners face. In 2019–20, the incidents...
Matched on
terms: prisoner, support
IMB annual report
64match
Rye Hill (2020)
HMP Rye Hill, a Category B training prison for men convicted of sexual offences, operated at or near its maximum capacity of 664 during the reporting year. The IMB found the prison to be a generally safe and fair environment, with improvements in healthcare provision and staff stability. However, significant concerns persist regarding the inadequate provision for elderly...
Matched on
terms: prisoner, support
IMB annual report
64match
Belmarsh (2024)
HMP Belmarsh, a Category A local prison, faces significant challenges in providing purposeful activity and rehabilitation opportunities, particularly for HSU and sentenced prisoners, amid rising illicit item seizures and high violence levels. While healthcare provision has improved under a new provider, mental health support, transfers, and bed shortages remain problematic. The Board is concerned about overcrowding, prolonged segregation...
Matched on
terms: prisoner, support
IMB recommendation
64match
Manchester (2020)
What assurances can be offered to ensure that prisoners suffering from these symptoms can be swiftly placed in specialist accommodation to best support their needs?
Matched on
terms: prisoner, support
PFD report
61match
Bradley Brown
Late transfers of prisoners, particularly on weekends, increase risk due to inadequate mental health assessments, reduced healthcare staffing, and limited access to medical records. There is no national guidance for these transfers.
Matched on
terms: prisoner
PFD report
61match
Tomasz Nowasad
The coroner noted an over-emphasis on prisoner assertions of no self-harm intent, insufficient consideration of all risk factors during assessments, and a lack of written records detailing how self-harm and suicide risk assessments were conducted.
Matched on
terms: prisoner
PFD report
61match
James Devenny
The coroner identified a lack of direct telephone access for prisoners to contact Samaritans, particularly for violent individuals. Prison Officers are also not routinely briefed on prisoners' significant self-harm history or antecedent patterns.
Matched on
terms: prisoner
PFD report
61match
Scott Rider
The coroner identified a risk of further deaths due to the impact of Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) sentences on prisoners who feel trapped and have limited hope for release.
Matched on
terms: prisoner
PFD report
61match
Barrie Forster
The coroner identified a lack of suitable accommodation for prisoners released from custody, including Approved Premises and local authority housing, which can lead to homelessness or unsuitable placements and increased difficulties in supervision.
Matched on
terms: prisoner
PFD report
61match
Matthew Singh Prevention of future deaths report
The coroner noted the continuing availability and use of psychoactive substances at HMP Berwyn, despite ongoing initiatives, posing significant risks to the health of prisoners and the potential for future deaths.
Matched on
terms: prisoner
PFD report
61match
Scott Berry
The coroner raises concerns about the long detention of Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) prisoners beyond their original tariff, with many still awaiting parole review and lacking access to rehabilitation programmes. This situation impacts their mental health and reduces hope of release, posing a risk of future deaths.
Matched on
terms: prisoner
PFD report
61match
Gareth Chumber-Kelly
The coroner noted repeated deficiencies in the ACCT process, an inefficient reception process leading to the loss of vital prisoner information, and the suspension of suicide and self-harm training for staff despite a high risk of self-inflicted deaths.
Matched on
terms: prisoner
PFD report
61match
Edward Hands
The coroner noted conflicting policies between the prison healthcare provider and prison staff regarding prisoners suspected of being under the influence of illicit substances. This resulted in confusion, a lack of awareness, and a prisoner's clinical deterioration not being recognised or escalated due to missed observations.
Matched on
terms: prisoner
CJINI report
61match
An inspection of Prisoner Escort and Court Custody arrangements in Northern Ireland
Matched on
terms: prisoner
Committee recommendation
61match
#26 - 3rd Report - Legislative Scrutiny: Mental Health Bill
It is crucial that prisoners experiencing serious mental health crises are promptly moved to a hospital environment where they can receive the treatment they need. Delays in such moves risk exposing individuals to inhuman or degrading treatment in breach of Article 3 ECHR. The Bill’s introduction of a statutory 28 day time frame for hospital transfers represents, therefore,...
Matched on
terms: prisoner