Worried about their mental health inside

Few things are harder than fearing for someone's mind or safety when they are locked away and you cannot get to them. Here is what you can actually do, and who to call.

If you fear for their safety right now Ring the prison and ask for the Safer Custody team. Tell them exactly what worries you. They must act on it. Cannot get through? The free Prisoners' Families Helpline is 0808 808 2003.

How the prison keeps someone safe

Safer Custody team: the department for anyone at risk. Family calls to them are taken seriously and do lead to checks.
: being on one means they are being watched over more closely. It is care, not punishment.
Listeners: prisoners trained by the Samaritans, available day and night. And anyone can call the Samaritans free from a prison phone on 116 123.
The chaplaincy: for any faith or none, often the easiest person to talk to, and a good route for urgent worries.

When their medication is stopped

This happens a lot on arrival, and it is worth challenging calmly. The key thing to know: prison healthcare is run by the NHS, not by the officers. So:

The person should ask to see healthcare and explain exactly what they were prescribed outside.
You can ring the prison and ask for healthcare, and ask the GP or pharmacy who prescribed it to help confirm the history.
If stopping it is dangerous (for example insulin, heart medication, or a serious mental health drug), say so, urgently, to healthcare and to Safer Custody.
If it is not sorted, a prison law solicitor or the Prisoners' Advice Service can push.

Very unwell: hospital transfers

If someone is seriously mentally ill, they can be moved from prison to a secure hospital under the Mental Health Act for proper treatment. It can be slow, and families often have to keep asking for assessments to happen. Do not be put off, keep a note of every call, and get legal help if it stalls.

Look after yourself too

You cannot pour from an empty cup. Holding all of this, often alone, is genuinely hard. The Prisoners' Families Helpline is for you as much as for them. Your GP will take "someone I love is in prison and I am not coping" seriously. And the Samaritans (116 123) are there for you, any hour of any day.

Common questions

I am scared they might harm themselves. What do I do right now?

Ring the prison and ask for the Safer Custody team. Every prison has one, and this is exactly what it is for. Tell them plainly what you are worried about. They have a duty to act, and families raising the alarm genuinely gets people checked on and looked after. If you cannot get through, the Prisoners' Families Helpline (0808 808 2003) can help you reach the right person.

What is an ACCT?

ACCT stands for Assessment, Care in Custody and Teamwork. It is the prison's care plan for someone thought to be at risk of self-harm or suicide. Being "on an ACCT" means staff check on them more often and there is a plan to support them. It is a sign they are being watched over, not a punishment.

They take medication and the prison has stopped it. What can I do?

This is common on arrival and it is worth challenging. Prison healthcare is run by the NHS, not the prison officers. The person should ask to see healthcare and explain what they were prescribed outside. Families can ring the prison and ask to speak to healthcare, and can contact the GP or pharmacy who prescribed it to help confirm the history. If it is urgent, say so to Safer Custody.

Who can they talk to inside at 3am?

Listeners: prisoners trained by the Samaritans to support others in distress, available day and night. They can also call the Samaritans free from prison phones on 116 123. Chaplains, of any faith or none, are another door and often the most human one.

Can someone be moved to a hospital for their mental health?

Yes. If someone is seriously mentally unwell, they can be transferred from prison to a secure hospital under the Mental Health Act for treatment. It can be slow, and families often have to push for assessments. A prison law solicitor or the Prisoners' Advice Service can help if it is being delayed.

How do I cope with the worry myself?

Carrying fear for someone inside, while holding everything together outside, is exhausting and lonely. It is not weak to need help. The Prisoners' Families Helpline is there for you, not just for them. Your own GP takes this seriously, and Samaritans (116 123) are there for you too, any time.