Prisoners with mental health problems at HMP Lowdham Grange 'segregated' for up to 191 days before given suitable and secure accommodation

Prisoners with mental health problems at HMP Lowdham Grange were segregated for up for 191 days before being given suitable accommodation, an independent examination of the jail has revealed.

An Independent Monitoring Board report found between February 2018-19, such prisoners were forced into the Reintegration Unit (RIU) often isolated for 100 days or more.

The board observed the use of such accommodation for prisoners with significant mental health issues was inappropriate.

It said: “Longer-term management of prisoners with complex mental health conditions creates significant increases in the workload for all of those involved, and the board has great concern that such prisoners continue to be managed for extended periods within the justice system as opposed to receiving appropriate care within the health system.”

The RIU consists of 24 individual cells ­— two being constant-watch cells ­— in addition to a kitchen, showers and three separate exercise yards.

Exercise areas within segregation were described as stark in the report with no equipment or other stimuli for prisoners and generally dirty toilets.

The report said: “Prisoners are offered around 90 minutes of time outside the cell each day, with 45 minutes of that being in the exercise yard in association with other prisoners on the unit. A shower is available every other day but there is limited opportunity for work.”