Call to end jail for vulnerable people

Campaigners have called on the government to end the “cruel and
unnecessary punishment of jailing vulnerable people”, as it was
revealed that three-quarters of male prisoners have multiple mental
health problems.

Figures released last week by charity Mind and the Prison Reform
Trust showed that two-thirds of men in prison are diagnosed with a
personality disorder and one in five has been admitted for
in-patient psychiatric care.

Both organisations urged the government to encourage the courts to
use alternatives to custody for men with mental health problems who
have committed minor offences and ensure the prison service meets
NHS standards.

Policy director of Mind Sophie Corlett said: “There needs to be a
big investment in mental health provision within the criminal
system so that people don’t end up in prison when what they really
need is care.”