News

Female offenders held at a prison in Cheshire have significant unmet needs around substance misuse and mental health issues, an inspection report has revealed.

Despite 41 per cent of women at Styal prison and young offenders institution who admitted drug misuse problems on arrival, there was no proper detoxification unit.

While the inspection noted some welcome developments including the Reeman unit for people with severe mental health problems, the provisions did not meet all needs.


"Women are unsafe in terms of their physical and mental health and the risk of self-harm and bullying," said prisons chief inspector Anne Owers.

The report calls for a day centre for women with less acute mental health needs and more training in mental health awareness for residential staff. 

- Report from www.homeoffice.gov.uk