Urgent and comprehensive action is needed to improve mental health care in prisons across Europe, according to a statement published today by the World Health Organization and supported by the UK Government.
The Trenčín Statement, produced at a conference in Slovakia, was launched today at the Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health. It calls for all European nations to do more to find alternatives to prison for offenders with severe mental illnesses; for better care for prisoners who have any kind of mental health problem; and for greater awareness of how the harm to mental health which is inevitable in imprisonment can be significantly reduced.
The Trenčín Statement notes that one million prisoners worldwide have severe mental illnesses. Many more have common mental health problems such as depression and anxiety. It says all prisoners with mental health problems should have a personal care plan and that prison staff need training in mental health.
Dr Andrew Fraser, Director of Health and Care at the Scottish Prison Service, said: "Treating mental illness and encouraging mental wellbeing is fundamental to cutting crime. Being mentally well means being able to cope with prison, learn from past offending, and get a second chance to lead a lawful life on return to the community. Criminal justice systems need to create conditions that treat and support prisoners with mental health problems and meet the challenge of the Trencin Statement."
Sean Duggan, Sainsbury Centre director of prisons and criminal justice, said: "We are delighted to host the launch of the Trenčín Statement today. Too many people with severe mental illnesses are imprisoned across Europe. We need to see action in all nations to offer better alternatives to custody and to share intelligence about good practice so that we can all respond better to their needs."
Lars Moller, manager of the Health in Prisons Project at WHO, Copenhagen, drew attention to the Statement's view that 'the mental health of prisoners cannot be left as an issue for prison authorities'. In mental health, as with other serious public health conditions such as HIV/AIDS and TB, any national plan for improvement must include a plan for coping with the very challenging issues in prisons.
For enquiries to the WHO please contact Lars Moller lmo@euro.who.int or +45 39 17 12 14 or visit www.euro.who.int/prisons.