'Vulnerable' inmates being diverted from prison

The government has recognised that people with a history of mental health issues are wrongly being placed in prison, the chief executive of the National Offender Management Services has said.

Michael Spurr told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that schemes are being introduced to ensure that people who need mental health treatment can be diverted away from the criminal justice system.

His comments come as the parents of Steven Davison, a 21-year-old man who killed himself while at Glen Parva young offenders institution in 2013, questioned why prison authorities did not do more to protect him.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4's Today programme on Friday 14 November 2014.