Opinion

Alarming level of mental health illness in prison

Figures showing that half of Northern Ireland's prisoners are on medication for mental health illnesses is quite alarming and should place the spotlight on how we deal with this serious issue.

More than 50 per cent of those in custody in Maghaberry and Magilligan jails have been prescribed anti-depressants and anti-psychosis drugs while 40 per cent of young offenders at Hydebank are on medication.

This is clearly a very challenging situation for the prison authorities and the South Eastern Health Trust, which took over responsibility for prison healthcare in 2008.

The level of suicides among prisoners has long been a matter of concern while a report by the Criminal Justice Inspection team last month warned that mental health provision at Maghaberry had deteriorated due to staff shortages.

This is obviously deeply worrying and underlines the importance of examining the entire issue of how we deal with offenders suffering from mental health illnesses.

The figures on prescription drug use were obtained by DUP MLA Alastair Ross who believes too many people are ending up in prison when they should be in mental health facilities or addiction units.

He is calling for an alternative approach and points to the experience of other jurisdictions where rehabilitation orders have been used for low-level offences.

The issues raised by Mr Ross are worthy of further discussion over how we treat offenders with mental health problems.