Prison life
Vulnerable prisoners
Staff are trained to spot prisoners at risk of bullying, suicide or self-harm. The prisoner may get their own case manager who will make sure they:
- are asked about their mental health, for example if they’re feeling depressed
- get regular support from a health specialist
Most prisons also have ‘listener schemes’ that offer emotional support in confidence - normally from fellow prisoners.
Psychiatric hospitals
A prisoner can be moved to a secure psychiatric hospital for their own safety. This only happens if they meet certain conditions under the .
Once the prisoner gets better, they return to prison.
If you’re worried about a prisoner
If you’re worried about a prisoner:
- tell a member of prison staff when you visit
- contact the prison’s ‘Safer Custody Team’
Some prisons run confidential Safer Custody hotlines where you can leave a message explaining your concerns. Find a prison and check the contact section for details.