Part of the debate – in the House of Lords at 3:01 pm on 29 October 2008.
My Lords, I welcome any improvement in the prison estate, but will the Government consider pausing in their plans to build Titan prisons until they can review more fully the nature of the prison population, particularly the numbers of mentally ill, many of whom might do better with treatment elsewhere than in the prisons?
Annotations
Alix Cull
Posted on 30 Oct 2008 1:18 pm (Report this annotation)
I am grateful that Lord Dubbs has brought the attention of the House to the mentally ill who are committed to prison. This usually because of the deficiency in the Mental health Services, as many of the large Mental Hospitals have been closed. Whilst agreeing that this should be so, it has been done before adequate arrangements have been made for Care in the Community. There are many mentally ill people who can live quite well in the community, but they also need continuing care. Some families can cope with the care, some cannot, and it is desirable that small Units for mentally ill people WITH ADEQUATE SUPERVISION are opened, as opposed to the larger mental hospitals. Also there should be much better arrangements for rehabilitation of patients with long term mental health conditions, as there should be for prisoners who are not mentally ill. I do not propose that the very old institutions should be reopened, but that good conditions in any establishment for the mentally ll should be provided. I am given to understand that some of those remaining are in a shocking condition. This does not help the patient. Also single sex wards, or rooms have not yet been implemented.
I would also point out that there is a great difference between the milder forms of mental ill health, and severe and enduring mental illness such as schizophrenia and bi-polar. The majority of these unfortuate people are not violent, as one is given to believe in the media, but are often quiet, isolated,and some are in fear of the services they have received in the past. They are very vulnerable and need support. Another point to make is the delay in their diagnosis, with waiting lists to see a specialist(psychiatrist) of up to 13 weeks. This would not be acceptable for a surgical or other severe health condition. The mentally ill are too often unable to stand up for their rights, and the families may not have any knowledge that indicates their need for medical care. They often have poor memories and may forget to attend appointmens etc.