Swifter care for mentally ill inmates

Swifter action is needed to deal with mentally ill inmates, the Chief Inspector of Prisons said yesterday.

In a report on Bristol jail, which holds about 580 convicted and unconvicted inmates, Sir David Ramsbotham highlighted the need for action to transfer the mentally disturbed to NHS care within a few days. He said that at Bristol it took two to three weeks. "Given the serious nature of those who were suffering mental illness ... speedy transfer was clearly essential," he said. Jason Bennetto