A review of mental health need in prison
The National Council of Independent Monitoring Boards recently identified prisoners’
unmet mental health needs as a foremost concern of boards across England and
Wales. The report provides an overview of findings from 57 Independent Monitoring
Boards which responded to a request by the National Council for information
about mental health need in the prison which they monitor.
A significant number of prisons receive individuals who have a serious mental
illness and for whom prison is not a suitable environment. From the perspective of
the Independent Monitoring Boards these people should have been diverted from
custody either by the police and court liaison services or by mental health services
in the community.