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Unmet mental health need in prison

On 4 February 2009, the Prison Reform Trust published a report (Too little, too late: an independent review of unmet mental health need in prison) which reveals that many people who should have been diverted into mental health or social care from police stations or courts are entering prisons, which are ill equipped to meet their needs, and then being discharged back into the community without sufficient support.

The report draws on information and evidence provided by the independent monitoring boards of 57 prisons. Findings suggest a system under pressure, struggling to respond to the complex needs of people, many of whom are in the wrong place. The report argues that earlier intervention, well-resourced mental health and social care in the community, residential care or, in some cases, in-patient or secure psychiatric provision could all have saved vulnerable people from the rigours of imprisonment.

The report makes a number of recommendations for change. It proposes that:

• A national network of court and police diversion and liaison schemes should be established, with performance targets and sustainable funding.
• Every prison should have learning disability specialists, providing a better assessment service, improved conditions and treatment as well as follow-up support.
• Prison resettlement units and probation officers should alert local authorities to their duty to assess the needs of vulnerable prisoners at an early stage, well before they are released into the community.

Too little, too late: an independent review of unmet mental health need in prison (PDF)