Prisoners with mental health issues spending too long in isolation at Stocken Prison in Rutland

Prisoners with mental health issues are spending too long in isolation before being transferred to specialist facilities.

Inspectors at Stocken Prison in Stretton are concerned about the length of time people are spending in the care and separation unit before moving to a secure mental health facility.

The unit is said to be an unsuitable environment which is manned by staff who are not adequately trained to support people with mental health problems.

The Independent Monitoring Board is calling for action to speed up the transfer process.

Vice chairman Peter Scott, said: “The prison works hard to keep prisoners in the care and separation unit for the shortest amount of time possible while maintaining the safety of the prison. However, the national shortage of secure mental health facilities presents a significant challenge.”

During their inspection board members also highlighted areas of the prison which need extensive renovation.

Mr Scott added: “Stocken Prison is currently being expanded with a new residential block, but there is also repair work needed on the older parts of the prison.

“While the board appreciates that work needs to be done on old Victorian prisons, the remedial work required on prisons such as Stocken, which was built in the 1980s, should not be forgotten by the prison service.”

Inspectors were pleased to find that staffing levels at the prison have improved since their last visit, allowing prisoners to spend more time out of their cells. Education classes are now offered five days a week rather than one.