Mental Health Services in Prison

Mental Health Services in Prison

If someone you care about is in prison, it is natural to worry about how they are coping, especially if they have experienced mental health difficulties before. Prison can affect anyone’s mood and wellbeing, but support is available.

Every prison has access to NHS mental healthcare. Staff can assess mental health needs, provide treatment, and refer people for specialist help where needed.

Family members, friends and carers can also make a real difference. Keeping in touch through phone calls, visits, video calls, emails or letters can help your loved one feel connected and supported.

What mental health services are available?

People are usually asked about their mental health when they first arrive in prison. They can also request healthcare at any time by using a healthcare application form, often called an “app”. Mental health support may include:

assessment and diagnosis
medication, counselling or psychological therapy
care or treatment plans
support in a mental health crisis
support with substance misuse, learning disabilities or
neurodiversity where this is needed
referrals to community mental health services before release
access to interpreters

What is available varies between prisons. Some offer group work, art therapy, wellbeing courses or drop-in clinics for people waiting to be seen. NHS care is prioritised by clinical need, so waits can happen.

Talking to your loved one about mental health

Some people are open about their mental health; others may feel embarrassed, worried about being judged, or unsure how to ask for help. You do not need to have all the answers. Small, steady support can matter.

Ask simple, open questions such as “How are you feeling?”
Listen without judging and let them speak in their own time.
Ask what would help, such as regular calls, visits, reminders about medication, or encouragement to use prison support.
Talk about everyday things too; your contact can be a helpful break from prison life.
Look after yourself as well. Supporting someone in prison can be stressful, and you may need rest, boundaries and support of your own.

What is mental health and mental wellbeing?

Mental health is about conditions such as anxiety, depression, PTSD or psychosis, which may need assessment, therapy, medication or other professional support. Mental wellbeing is about how someone feels day to day. Both matter, and both can be affected by prison life.

Some people find it hard to ask for help. You might gently ask how your loved one is feeling and encourage them to use the support available, just as they would for a physical health problem.

Sharing information with Healthcare

If your loved one had mental health support before prison, it can help the prison mental health team to know about this. With the right information, they can better understand your loved one’s needs and continue or review treatment.

You can share concerns, medical letters or records through the prison’s Safer Custody contact form, by writing to the Duty Governor, or through Call PHILL if they are in a London prison. Explain clearly what you are sending, why it matters, and who you would like to contact you.

It is also useful to keep a note of what you sent and when. Healthcare staff may not be able to discuss your loved one’s care with you without their consent, but they can usually receive information from you.

Things that support wellbeing

While someone is waiting for mental health treatment, everyday support can still help. Encourage your loved one to ask what is available in their prison, such as:

welfare checks or mental health drop-ins
the Samaritans Listener Scheme or Samaritans phone line
chaplaincy or faith support
gym, exercise, jobs, education or courses
peer mentoring or other support schemes
regular contact with family and friends

Neurodiversity, learning disabilities, and extra support

Prison healthcare should support people with neurodiverse conditions or learning disabilities. This may include identifying needs, adapting information into accessible formats, involving specialist services, and working with other prison teams so the person’s health needs are understood.

What to do if you're worried

If you think your loved one’s mental health is getting worse, or you are worried they may harm themselves, contact Safer Custody as soon as possible. In an emergency, call the prison switchboard and explain that there is an urgent concern about someone’s safety.

If your loved one is in a London prison, you can also contact Call PHILL so information can be sent to the healthcare team. If you have documents, such as mental health records or doctor’s letters, attach or include them where possible.

You may not receive detailed information back without your loved one’s consent, but sharing clear concerns can still help staff understand the risk and decide what support is needed.

If your loved one is currently in HMP Wandsworth, Downview, Huntercombe, or Elmley, you may also contact a Pact Family Link Worker for help.