SDLP Health Spokesperson Mark H Durkan has urged the relevant bodies including the Prison Servic and Department of Health to heed the recommendations from RCPHYSC NI regarding improved mental health provision for prisoners.
The RCPHYSC NI has called for improvements in mental health in the North’s three prisons and has has criticised the Prison Service over a lack of mental health provisions for inmates.
The Prison Service has closed the residential health wing in the high security Maghaberry prison which is leading to prisoners with mental health problems being left in solitary confinement.
The MLA for Foyle commented: “The current system for dealing with ill mental health in our prisons is unsuitable and unsafe for all involved.
“Immediate action is needed to ensure the custody environment is equipped to deal with prisoners who are suffering from serious mental health issues.
“The recommendations from RCPHYSC NI, as highly-trained professionals in the field of mental health, cannot be ignored.
“Their calls for improved mental health provision for prisoners and criticisms of NIPS must be heard.
“However, NIPS cannot meet this challenge alone- there needs to be a concerted effort across all bodies including the departments of health and justice.”
Mr Durkan added: “The closure of Maghaberry’s residential health-wing has undoubtedly compounded existing issues- in particular the increase in long-term solitary confinement of mentally unwell inmates is of major concern.
“This forced isolation from the rest of the prison population is an archaic and reckless response which only serves to further distress acutely mentally unwell prisoners. In short, it is a violation of human rights.
“The reality remains that prison staff are left without an alternative.
“Mental health services within NIPS is massively under-resourced.
Lack of mental health facilities at Maghaberry prison criticised
“As a result of the poor workforce planning and short sightedness of the previous Executive, funding in this area was not made available.
“In the last few years we have witnessed the disastrous consequences of that decision.
“Lessons must be learnt and families who have fought to get their loved ones mental health care within the prison system, must have that fight acknowledged.
“This is a life and death issue- money must be ring-fenced for prison healthcare here in order to protect people at their most vulnerable and prevent further tragedies within the confines of our prisons,” added the Foyle MLA.
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