Written evidence from a serving prisoner

I’m writing in regard to Committee inquiry for matter of mental health.

Here are my views:

1. Scale of issues: on a wing with only 80 residents there are incidents due (to) mental health breakdown bi-weekly. Myself due HFA/Autism was recommended not to be in a custodial environment, by court ordered medical report and an independent psychiatrist. The court disregarded and elected to send me (to) HMP *** where I have developed severe PTSD and a breakdown resulting in a 3-month peaceful section is hospital. Both the hospital and prison were not able to diagnose anything in 15 years on remand. All my assessments with diagnosis were made by 3rd party renowned and experienced psychiatrists.

2. Appropriateness: Adequate to vicariously liable. Due to staff levels (1 doctor 15 M.H. workers) reasonable adjustments hardly work, no CBT for PTSD, wrong/not clinically recommended medication (sedatives), drastically worsening of mental health. I will personally litigate and advocate against holding neurodevelopmental also severe conditions (schizophrenia, Bipolar, etc) for the rest of my existence. Untrained prison officers should never even be asked to care never mind have a duty of care. Myself and at least 5 to 7 other people should be in a forensic ward. I relate to this an unlawful imprisonment due (to) residual liberties and deterioration in health. England has some of the world’s shortest prison staff training and we expect them to understand complex care needs. Staff are trying but its hard to deal with let’s say a manic bipolar in a hospital even more so a prison.

3. Identification on arrival: Well, I said Asperger’s, they ignored until I had attained clinical diagnosis. Even then I fought for reasonable adjustments, it took – a violent assault on me-trauma-severe PTSD-many legal letters etc. to just achieve basic rights under the 2010 Equality Act, some reasonable adjustments. Catastrophic failures.

4. Support: they try, but chronic underfunding and appalling staffing levels are not conducive to stabilise even 10-15% of psychiatric issues. Have conducted statistics of many residents. The care in the psychiatric hospital seemed good, attentive, responsive and precise. Would say a great deal of prison staff have themselves PTSD et cetera.

5. Effect: Yet to be determined by psychiatrists(s). Heavy sedation has somewhat stabilised or slowed my deterioration.

6 Covid effect: More sedate environment but more drastic outbursts. Isolation is less harsh for autistic people but social and language skills are deteriorated. My ability to have religious leaders, therapists, doctors, second opinion medical advisors to assess me is troubling (no visits).

7. Compare to community: there is frankly no comparison. No access to 2nd opinion, delays, shortages, the care in hospital was at least 400-1600% better. From management of side effects to inadequate nutrition/food to be able to even ingest medication, the list is endless. What the prison saves with lacking care they will surely pay in claims for negligence, malfeasance, statutory, tort, civil litigation. The situation is highly dangerous to my life. The staff are not at fault but the system as a whole from a holistic perspective seems ineffective. Colouring packs and sedatives are not a replacement for specialist facilities.

8. Pathway: seems substantially better with advocacy and such.

9. Would say that England is amongst the best country in the world for equability, disability, and mental health in the community. Within HMPPS it’s around the worst, massive systematic failures upon failings. I know at least two people heavily affected by severe psychiatric issues that have boycotted medication and any contact to mental health at HMP ***. HMP *** seems vastly better but still in no way comparable,

I’m happy to give exact analysis and further accounts but need to undertake trauma therapy first.

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