Royal College for Psychiatrists publishes milestone guidance on engaging with carers of people in prison

Pact is thrilled to announce the publication of new guidance from the Royal College for Psychiatrists on engaging with the carers of people in prison. The announcement marks a significant step forward in supporting the health and wellbeing of families affected by imprisonment.

The extent of health issues facing the prison population is stark:

• One in five people report having physical health issues on arrival in prison.
• Over half of men in prison and more than three in five women report having a mental health problem.
• Rates of self-harm are near record levels – 687 incidents per 1,000 prisoners.

Our 'Nobody's Listening' report, published last year, found that proactively involving families and carers in prisoners' healthcare helps to create safer prison regimes, reduce reoffending and relieve pressure on the NHS. Yet families too often feel ‘locked out’ of the system, unable to support their loved ones.

Over the past two years, Pact has conducted nearly 1,500 interviews with families and carers through our pilot service "Listen to Families". Our team has spent countless hours in prison visitors' centres and communities, listening to their stories and challenges. While around a third of families reported positive experiences (even if their overall experience was mixed), one in six had safeguarding concerns during their journey. They shared feelings of powerlessness and fear, being 'locked out' of a system with which they are unable to share key information or participate in their loved one's care.

Amplifying the voices of prisoners' families and carers

The Royal College for Psychiatrists (RCPsych) has recognised the critical role of families and carers with the release of the Quality Network for Prison Mental Health Services (QNPMHS) Carer Engagement and Involvement Guidance. The document offers practical advice for prison mental health professionals on engaging families and carers. It provides a range of suggestions, from simple and low-cost measures to more extensive initiatives, addressing common barriers and showcasing real-life examples of good practice.

Pact was honoured to participate in the QNPMHS working group, bringing the voices and experiences of prisoners' families to the forefront. It was inspiring to collaborate with healthcare professionals who share our goals. This guidance, along with the Family and Carers' Charter for Health and Justice and our resource "Your Guide to Prison Healthcare," represents a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to ensure families and carers have a voice in prison healthcare.

A crucial step forward for prison healthcare and public health

The health and wellbeing of individuals involved in our criminal justice system is a pressing public health concern. As the World Health Organisation states, ‘by addressing the health needs of individuals during their time in prison, it is possible also to have a positive impact on the health of their families and wider communities upon release’. The new RCPsych guidance is a crucial step forward in our work to ensure families and carers can participate in their loved one's healthcare, making prisons and communities safer for everyone.

Dr Amy Pollard, Head of Family and Carer Voice (Prisoner Healthcare)