Clinks response: the future of mental health care in prison

Clinks responded to the Centre for Mental Health’s call for evidence to contribute towards a review to guide the future of mental health care in prison. The response, written in the context of Covid-19, outlines how far mental health support is currently meeting need, examples of good practice, how needs are likely to change in the future and what this might mean for prison health services, and areas for development and improvement.

The response details the impact that Covid-19 is having on the mental health of people in prison, as well as the ability for voluntary sector organisations delivering mental health services to operate.A key recommendation is for voluntary organisations delivering mental health services to people in prison to be seen as strategic partners that prisons engage with, to ensure that they are able to support service users. This also means supporting the sustainability of these organisations during and beyond Covid-19.