Mental health crisis growing in prisons UK

Main Category: Mental Health
Article Date: 17 May 2004 - 0:00 PDT

email to a friend   printer friendly   view / write opinions   rate article

The UK prison service is facing a mental health crisis, with the rates of severe mental illness, such as schizophrenia, more than 10 times higher among male inmates than the general population, according to the Prison Reform Trust and mental health charity Mind.

The two bodies have called on the government to reform the criminal justice system, which they say is imprisoning record numbers of men with mental health disorders. According to statistics, two-thirds of men in prison are diagnosed with a personality disorder and two-fifths show symptoms of at least one neurotic disorder, such as depression, anxiety or phobias.

Yet research from the government's social exclusion unit has suggested that prisoners are twice as likely to be refused treatment for mental health problems inside the prison than outside. The chief inspector of prisons has also previously estimated that up to 41 per cent of prisoners being held in prison health care centres should have been in secure NHS accommodation.

Prison staff, according to PRT and Mind, are struggling to cope with the high numbers of men with mental health problems. The two bodies have proposed that the government encourage the courts to use non-custodial sentences for men with mental health problems who have committed minor offences.

There should be an increase in the number of court diversion schemes so that offenders who are acutely ill or at risk of suicide can be given hospital places to receive the treatment they need. Also needed is a greater government focus on early intervention and an investment in accessible and appropriate mental health care services for vulnerable men.

PFT director Juliet Lyon said: 'Proper investment in court diversion, mental health and drug treatment in the community and secure health provision for those who need it would lift the burden off untrained prison staff and put a stop to the cruel and unnecessary punishment of jailing vulnerable people.'

Source: http://www.publichealthnews.com