The Independent Monitoring Board says acutely unwell prisoners were often held in segregation because of delays in transferring them to psychiatric units.

It’s reported a sharp rise in self-harm, violence and assaults on staff, driven by overcrowding and complex needs.

A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said:

“The prison system this government inherited is not working for most women. Many are victims and over half are mothers.
“That’s why the Lord Chancellor welcomed the Independent Sentencing Review’s recommendations and has already established a new Women’s Justice Board to reduce the number of women in jail and the number of women’s prisons.”

Guidance:
• The Women’s Justice Board (WJB) has the clear goal of reducing the number of women going to prison, with more managed in the community. Its initial focus is on early intervention, diversion, community solutions, and addressing issues specific to young and pregnant women, and mothers with dependent children in the criminal justice system.
• The Women’s Health and Social Care Review was published in November 2023 following a joint review between HMPPS and NHSE. The review was commissioned to understand and address the disproportionately higher levels of health and social care needs for women in comparison to their male counterparts in prisons and in the wider population.
• The review identified eight strategic findings with supporting recommendations which we have accepted (one of which focusses upon mental health support and access to treatment). We consider this collaborative work critical to improving the health and wellbeing of women in custody and we continue to work closely with NHSE to implement recommendations and make positive changes for women in prison. 
• The use of segregation is to ensure the safety of all our prisoners and staff.
• We remain responsible in our duty of care to all those across the prison estate to ensure they are treated humanely, with dignity and that their care needs are met to the best of our ability.
• Those in the Care and Separation Unit are visited regularly by prison management and others who work in the prison with the aim of returning prisoners to normal location as soon as it is practicable to do so.
• Healthcare in prison is the responsibility of the NHS or private provider.