Recurring concern

Insufficient psychological support for prisoners

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First reported 9 Mar 2015•Latest report 6 Nov 2025

Definition

What this concern includes

Includes failures in prison arrangements to provide, allocate, maintain or cover psychological assessment and support for prisoners, including absent psychologist resource, prolonged waiting lists, unclear or nominal allocation, lack of continuing input and inadequate locum or other cover where these directly affect prisoner access to psychological support.

Not included

Excludes general mental-health service capacity or psychiatric treatment failures where prison psychological support is not the material unsafe condition.
Excludes forensic-psychologist input to MAPPA or offender-release decisions when the concern is specialist risk-report input rather than psychological support for prisoners in custody.
Excludes generic prison staffing, communication, training or governance deficiencies unless they directly leave prisoners without required psychological support.
Excludes clinical care provided after adequate psychological support has been arranged, and exclude psychological support for non-prisoners unless the assertion explicitly concerns the same prison psychological-support arrangement.

Reports: 5
Individual concerns: 7
Date range: 2015–2025
Stated actions: 5

Reports over time

Reports about this concern issued each year.

* 2026 is projected from reports observed to 7 Sep 2026.

Most frequent recipients

Reports about this concern sent to each recipient.

Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust2

HM Prison and Probation Service2

Ministry of Justice2

Probation Service2

Manchester Prison1

NHS England1

Practice Plus Group1

Wymott Prison1

Concerns and responses across reports

Only concerns grouped under this recurring concern are included. Select any concern, action or position to view the source wording.

6 Nov2025
Lancashire and Blackburn with Darwen
Concerns raised2
1. Delays of many months in access to psychologist support
2. Lack of psychologist resource for prisoners
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response 5
1. Action
  Recruit and establish the new Principal, Clinical Assistant and Assistant Psychologist roles to increase psychology capacity at HMP Garth.
  Stated by Practice Plus GroupStated in progress
2. Action
  Seek interim agency locum cover for the Principal Psychologist vacancy.
  Stated by Practice Plus GroupStated completed
3. Action
  Provide routine psychological support and safety-netting through Health and Wellbeing Practitioners and Nurse Associates, with monitoring and escalation to mental health nurses.
  Stated by Practice Plus GroupStated completed
1. Action
  Stop adding patients to the psychology waiting list while psychologist recruitment is pending and allocate new referrals interim health and wellbeing support.
  Stated by Practice Plus GroupStated completed
2. Action
  Provide urgent psychological support through local and regional multidisciplinary case conferences and the established regional psychology workforce.
  Stated by Practice Plus GroupStated completed
Respondent positions 2
1. Position
  Interim routine and urgent psychology support, including monitoring, escalation and regional provision, is in place while psychologist posts are filled.
  Stated by Practice Plus GroupExisting arrangements considered sufficient
1. Position
  Locum psychologist cover cannot currently be provided because suitable psychologists are unavailable in the employment market.
  Stated by Practice Plus GroupUnable to act
AI-generated summary

Aaron Lee Taylor · Prevention of Future Deaths report

This summary was generated using AI from the published report. Please read the original report for the complete account.

Report summary

Aaron Lee Taylor was discovered suspended from a ligature in his cell at HMP Garth on 28 August 2023. The inquest concluded that he had taken steps intending to take his own life and identified multiple failures in suicide-prevention measures, mental-health interventions, assessments, documentation, and adherence to policies and procedures.

Read the report on judiciary.uk
Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation
Delays of many months in access to psychologist support
Wider context from the report
“Evidence was heard that PPG Healthcare who are now responsible for healthcare at HMP Garth have not had any psychologist resource for prisoners at HMP Garth unless they have been victims of sexual assault. Even then, evidence was heard about waiting lists of many months. Evidence was also heard that a decision had not been taken to fill psychologist resource gaps by locum cover, despite those gaps having existed for 6 months ”
Source location
Aaron Lee Taylor · Prevention of Future Deaths report
Page 2 · concerns
Open source report
Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation
Lack of psychologist resource for prisoners
Wider context from the report
“Evidence was heard that PPG Healthcare who are now responsible for healthcare at HMP Garth have not had any psychologist resource for prisoners at HMP Garth unless they have been victims of sexual assault. Even then, evidence was heard about waiting lists of many months. Evidence was also heard that a decision had not been taken to fill psychologist resource gaps by locum cover, despite those gaps having existed for 6 months ”
Source location
Aaron Lee Taylor · Prevention of Future Deaths report
Page 2 · concerns
Open source report
Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation
Recruit and establish the new Principal, Clinical Assistant and Assistant Psychologist roles to increase psychology capacity at HMP Garth.

Verbatim wording from the response
“Response: The current model of psychology provision at HMP Garth consists of a 1 part-time Principal Psychologist, 1 full-time Clinical Assistant Psychologist and 2 full time Assistant Psychologists. All of these posts are new roles following TUPE of services and all posts are out to advert.”

Source location
Response from Practice Plus Group
Page 1 · response
Published 11 November 2025
Open published response
Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation
Seek interim agency locum cover for the Principal Psychologist vacancy.

Verbatim wording from the response
“The Consultant Clinical Psychologist has contacted agencies to backfill the Principal Psychologist role in the interim. Unfortunately, no suitable locum psychologist has been available to be provided by the agency, due to a lack of psychologists in the employment market.”

Source location
Response from Practice Plus Group
Page 1 · response
Published 11 November 2025
Open published response
Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation
Provide routine psychological support and safety-netting through Health and Wellbeing Practitioners and Nurse Associates, with monitoring and escalation to mental health nurses.

Verbatim wording from the response
“Patients requiring routine psychology interventions who are not case loaded to a mental health nurse are provided with support from a Health and Wellbeing Practitioner and Nurse Associate, this provides ongoing support and safety-netting to patients, including monitoring and escalation to the Mental Health nursing team if required. Upon escalation they can then be case-managed by a Mental Health nurse. No further patients are being added to the waiting list while we await appointment of the psychologists. Anyone who is now referred for psychological services is allocated a health and well-being practitioner, who can undertake a lot of low level work that can be done in meantime, in preparation for psychological input.”

Source location
Response from Practice Plus Group
Page 2 · response
Published 11 November 2025
Open published response
Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation
Stop adding patients to the psychology waiting list while psychologist recruitment is pending and allocate new referrals interim health and wellbeing support.

Verbatim wording from the response
“Patients requiring routine psychology interventions who are not case loaded to a mental health nurse are provided with support from a Health and Wellbeing Practitioner and Nurse Associate, this provides ongoing support and safety-netting to patients, including monitoring and escalation to the Mental Health nursing team if required. Upon escalation they can then be case-managed by a Mental Health nurse. No further patients are being added to the waiting list while we await appointment of the psychologists. Anyone who is now referred for psychological services is allocated a health and well-being practitioner, who can undertake a lot of low level work that can be done in meantime, in preparation for psychological input.”

Source location
Response from Practice Plus Group
Page 2 · response
Published 11 November 2025
Open published response
Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation
Provide urgent psychological support through local and regional multidisciplinary case conferences and the established regional psychology workforce.

Verbatim wording from the response
“Patients requiring urgent psychological interventions are discussed at a multi professional complex case conference (MPCCC) at a local level and referred to the Regional MPCCC for review and care planning. Provision is in place to ensure urgent patients are provided with psychological support from the region’s established psychology workforce.”

Source location
Response from Practice Plus Group
Page 2 · response
Published 11 November 2025
Open published response
Source evidence

How this respondent position was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation
Interim routine and urgent psychology support, including monitoring, escalation and regional provision, is in place while psychologist posts are filled.

Verbatim wording from the response
“Patients requiring routine psychology interventions who are not case loaded to a mental health nurse are provided with support from a Health and Wellbeing Practitioner and Nurse Associate, this provides ongoing support and safety-netting to patients, including monitoring and escalation to the Mental Health nursing team if required. Upon escalation they can then be case-managed by a Mental Health nurse. No further patients are being added to the waiting list while we await appointment of the psychologists. Anyone who is now referred for psychological services is allocated a health and well-being practitioner, who can undertake a lot of low level work that can be done in meantime, in preparation for psychological input.”

Source location
Response from Practice Plus Group
Page 2 · response
Published 11 November 2025
Open published response
Source evidence

How this respondent position was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation
Locum psychologist cover cannot currently be provided because suitable psychologists are unavailable in the employment market.

Verbatim wording from the response
“The Consultant Clinical Psychologist has contacted agencies to backfill the Principal Psychologist role in the interim. Unfortunately, no suitable locum psychologist has been available to be provided by the agency, due to a lack of psychologists in the employment market.”

Source location
Response from Practice Plus Group
Page 1 · response
Published 11 November 2025
Open published response
27 Jan2025
Liverpool and the Wirral
Concerns raised1
1. Failure to provide support to prisoners facing permanent separation from their spouses
This report raised 4 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.

No linked response statements
No respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
AI-generated summary

WILLIAM CAMPBELL BISSETT · Prevention of Future Deaths report

This summary was generated using AI from the published report. Please read the original report for the complete account.

Report summary

William Campbell Bissett, aged 88, died by suicide by hanging in his cell at HMP Wymott on 13 October 2023, shortly before his planned release on licence. The report raised concerns about inadequate advance planning for his accommodation, insufficient engagement by prison offender management and probation services, and the failure to notify local authorities that he would be homeless on release.

Read the report on judiciary.uk
Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation
Failure to provide support to prisoners facing permanent separation from their spouses
Wider context from the report
“(5) Lack of planning for release and lack of engagement left Mr Bissett only with the knowledge that he would probably have to live the rest of his life separated from his wife. No attempt was made to help him come to terms with this reality. ”
Source location
WILLIAM CAMPBELL BISSETT · Prevention of Future Deaths report
Page 2 · concerns
Open source report
4 Jan2019
Manchester North
Concerns raised2
1. Failure to provide further psychological input while awaiting transfer
2. Failure to provide an allocated SIU-based psychologist and continuing psychological input
This report raised 10 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Respondent positions 1
1. Position
  The Specialist Intervention Unit’s high staffing and staff support were considered sufficient for readjustment, without requiring formal psychological interventions.
  Stated by HM Prison and Probation ServiceExisting arrangements considered sufficient
AI-generated summary

Mr Nicky Raymond Reilly · Prevention of Future Deaths report

This summary was generated using AI from the published report. Please read the original report for the complete account.

Report summary

Mr Nicky Raymond Reilly, also known as Mr Mohamed Saeed-Alim, was an inmate at HMP Manchester after spending six years at Broadmoor High Security Hospital. He was found hanging by a ligature in his cell on 19 October 2016 and was pronounced deceased at 14.43. The report raised concerns about the lack of continuation of the Care Program Approach, incomplete multidisciplinary records and coordination, limited psychological input and record keeping, insufficient staff training, separation of mental health and psychology records, and medication-refusal processes.

Read the report on judiciary.uk
Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation
Failure to provide further psychological input while awaiting transfer
Wider context from the report
“The Extremism Risk assessment work had been concluded by ████████ in May 2016. Despite this, her report had not been completed at the time of NR’s death in October 2016 and she did not anticipate being in a position to complete the report until the New Year, some 8 months later. Whilst there is no evidence that in NR’s case this held up his referral to the Westgate Unit, given that a significant reason for his placement on the SIU prior to placement at Westgate, was to undertake this piece of work, a significant time had elapsed. In the meantime whilst waiting transfer, the Court heard no further Psychological input would be started with NR. ”
Source location
Mr Nicky Raymond Reilly · Prevention of Future Deaths report
Page 2 · concerns
Open source report
Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation
Failure to provide an allocated SIU-based psychologist and continuing psychological input
Wider context from the report
“NR had been allocated a Psychologist ████████ to undertake the specialist extremism work. However this meant he did not have an allocated psychologist who was based within the SIU. The evidence to the Court from several witnesses including the Psychologists and SIU staff showed there was confusion as to whom was NR’s allocated Psychologist. The reality was from May 2016, NR received no psychological input and did not have an allocated Psychologist in any meaningful form. ”
Source location
Mr Nicky Raymond Reilly · Prevention of Future Deaths report
Page 2 · concerns
Open source report
Source evidence

How this respondent position was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation
The Specialist Intervention Unit’s high staffing and staff support were considered sufficient for readjustment, without requiring formal psychological interventions.

Verbatim wording from the response
“Your next concern is that Nicky did not have an allocated psychologist in the SIU and that no interventions were carried out following his completion of the Extremism Risk Assessment. While I recognise both points, I should clarify that Nicky’s allocation to the SIU was based on a range of factors, not solely so that formal interventions could be delivered. It is not uncommon for some complex individuals to be encouraged to focus on their involvement in the regime rather than on specific interventions at certain times. Nicky’s difficulty in coping within the custodial environment and the potential for this to present a high risk both to himself and to others meant that the SIU, as a small unit with a high staffing level, was considered the best environment for him to readjust to the prison setting and be offered sufficient support and care from staff.”

Source location
2019-0014-Response-by-HM-Prison-and-Probation-Service
Page 2 · response
Published 24 May 2019
Open published response
7 Sep2018
West Yorkshire Eastern
Concerns raised1
1. Unavailability of appropriate psychological interventions in prison
This report raised 7 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.

No linked response statements
No respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
AI-generated summary

Scott Patrick Carton · Prevention of Future Deaths report

This summary was generated using AI from the published report. Please read the original report for the complete account.

Report summary

Scott Patrick Carton was released from prison on 5 January 2017 to the Westgate Project Hostel in Wakefield and was found dead there on 10 January 2017. His death involved the synergistic combination of prescribed methadone, pregabalin and tramadol. Concerns included the suitability of his hostel placement, the lack of anticipated psychological support and a clear management plan, and wider gaps in support for prisoners with mental health and drug dependence issues before and after release.

Read the report on judiciary.uk
Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation
Unavailability of appropriate psychological interventions in prison
Wider context from the report
“4. Having been diagnosed with an emotionally unstable personality disorder in 2013 Mr Carton needed to be allocated to a prison establishment which did provide appropriate psychological interventions. In the event he was placed in HMP Wealstun which did not provide such services. This diminished any prospect of him succeeding in the community when released. ”
Source location
Scott Patrick Carton · Prevention of Future Deaths report
Page 2 · concerns
Open source report
9 Mar2015
Manchester City
Concerns raised1
1. Lack of psychological therapy identification and treatment for prisoners with personality disorders or related traits
This report raised 6 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.

No linked response statements
No respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
AI-generated summary

Craig Douglas Bell · Prevention of Future Deaths report

This summary was generated using AI from the published report. Please read the original report for the complete account.

Report summary

Craig Douglas Bell was found dead in his cell at HMP Manchester on 13 December 2012 after taking his own life by hanging using a self-constructed ligature. He had a history of self-harm and suicidal ideation and was subject to ACCT procedures. The principal concerns included inadequate sharing of risk information, insufficient senior psychiatric involvement in discharge planning, the lack of a graduated risk-management plan, and limited availability of safer or CCTV-monitored cells for prisoners at risk of suicide.

Read the report on judiciary.uk
Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted
PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below.
PFD Monitor interpretation
Lack of psychological therapy identification and treatment for prisoners with personality disorders or related traits
Wider context from the report
“1. The evidence established a significant unmet need for psychological therapies to treat patient prisoner suffering from personality disorders or those suffering from traits of such personality disorders. These prisoners are recognised as being at higher risk of self harm ( which may ultimately result in death ) or suicide. Without NHS Commissioners allocating more resources to identifying and treating such patients there is a concern that further prisoners suffering from these conditions will end up deliberately or accidentally killing themselves. ”
Source location
Craig Douglas Bell · Prevention of Future Deaths report
Page 5 · concerns
Open source report

Data last updated 7 September 2026

What this concern includes

Not included

Reports over time

Concerns raised2

Delays of many months in access to psychologist support

Lack of psychologist resource for prisoners

Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.5

Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.2

Concerns raised1

Failure to provide support to prisoners facing permanent separation from their spouses

Concerns raised2

Failure to provide further psychological input while awaiting transfer

Failure to provide an allocated SIU-based psychologist and continuing psychological input

Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1

Concerns raised1

Unavailability of appropriate psychological interventions in prison

Concerns raised1

Lack of psychological therapy identification and treatment for prisoners with personality disorders or related traits

Actions described in response 5

Respondent positions 2

Respondent positions 1