The Council of Europe has addressed a Recommendation to its 46 member states aimed at promoting and protecting the mental health of prisoners and probationers and at ensuring the management of their possible mental disorders, in full respect of their human dignity. While highlighting the crucial role of prison and probation staff, the recommendation calls for specialised training to equip staff to understand mental health issues better and respond appropriately and humanely.
The recommendation, which was developed in response to the high prevalence of mental health issues among persons in detention and under probation, applies only to adults as it is considered that juveniles need specific measures adapted to their age and psychosocial development. As a general principle, the recommendation underscores that prisoners and probationers should have access to mental healthcare of the same quality as the mental healthcare provided to the general population. It promotes the actions to be taken to protect the mental health of all prisoners and probationers and deals with cases where some of these persons need special attention and treatment.
The authorities should ensure that prisoners and probationers are screened by qualified staff to identify those with mental disorders, including a subsequent and more detailed assessment in case of need in order to identify their particular treatment needs. Any treatment should be carried out with the consent of the offender. Specific measures and clear protocols should be in place to respond to self-harm and suicide attempts, including immediate medical and psychological intervention.
To promote good mental health in prisons and probation services, these agencies should create a supportive and caring environment, offering information and education on mental health to prisoners and probationers, providing access to mental health services, supporting community contacts, the opportunity to develop physical and creative activities and supporting re-entry into the community. Finally, the recommendation stresses that security measures should never compromise mental health protection and that ethical, medical, and human rights standards must always be upheld.
The implementation of this Recommendation will be monitored by the Council for Penological Co-operation (PC-CP) and the European Committee on Crime Problems (CDPC) of the Council of Europe, ensuring its alignment with best practices and fostering cooperation with key stakeholders to enhance mental health support within the criminal justice system.
More on Council of Europe’s work on prisons and community sanctions and measures
