Briefing for Second Reading of the Mental Health Bill

“Prisons in England and Wales are full of people who have long suffered with poor mental health, which has in many cases led them into the criminal justice system in the first place, in addition to those people who develop problems inside.

“The latest government figures show an increase of incidents of self-harm by 19% since last year and an annualised rate increase of 61% in the youth estate. Self-harm in prisons has risen to its highest level across both adult and youth estates.

“There is undoubtedly systemic failure in diverging people in mental health crisis away from custody, and in providing adequate mental health support across prisons in England and Wales.”

Read the full briefing