Government response published to Justice committee report on Mental Health in Prisons

The Justice Committee has published the Government response to its report into Mental Health in Prisons.

In the report the Justice Committee warned that the mental health crisis in prisons will continue unless there is root and branch reform. It called for an end to the use of prisons as a safety net for insufficient mental health services in the community. Disjointed and incoherent approaches to care within the prison system were also leaving many prisoners suffering from mental health issues undiagnosed and unable to access care. The report called for an integrated approach to mental health care involving prisons, the Probation Service and the NHS to ensure seamless care during their sentence and continued on release.

The Government’s response to the report’s conclusions and recommendations is attached.