Centre for Mental Health

Women's Institute campaign is welcome boost for people with mental health problems in prisons

4 June 2008

"Tackling the high rates of mental ill health in prisons needs to be at the centre of justice policy in the UK," Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health chief executive Angela Greatley said today.

Welcoming a Women's Institute resolution on the need to reduce the number of people with severe mental illnesses who are imprisoned in the UK, Angela Greatley said: "The WI has taken a bold stand in calling for change in the way people with mental health problems are treated in the criminal justice system.

"Nine out of ten prisoners have a mental health problem. One in 12 have a severe mental illness. Prison mental health teams are able to help some of those people but receive only one-third of the funds they need.

"Even a short spell in prison can be damaging to a person's chances in life and their mental health. Many lose their jobs, their homes and their families. We need to invest as a priority in better forms of diversion from custody for offenders with mental health problems and in community-based mental health services to offer effective treatment to offenders on community orders.

"But prisons will never be free of mental illness. We must also continue to invest in better mental health services in prisons; to transfer those who need urgent treatment to hospital more quickly; and do more to help prisoners to build better lives for themselves when they are released."

The Women’s Institute Annual General Meeting today voted in favour of a resolution calling for people with severe mental illnesses to be diverted from prison.