‘Women need more mental health care’

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