Peterborough prisoners go weeks without medication - report

IMB Peterborough expressed concern about the number of prisoners showing signs of acute mental illness

Prisoners have gone without prescribed medication for "in some cases weeks" due to processing delays, a new report found.

The Independent Monitoring Boards (IMB) looked into the conditions at HMP Peterborough and found prisoners showed signs of acute mental illness.

Staff had no mental health training and mental health treatment options were lacking, inspectors said.

HMP Peterborough said "health and safety" was priority.

'Severe mental illness'

The prison, which has a 892-capacity category B men's unit and a 372-capacity women's unit, is run by private security company Sodexo.

The IMB report said healthcare provision had suffered due to "poor communication with prisoners" and added: "Although support was provided by on-site mental health professionals, treatment options that would be available in mental health facilities were lacking".

Steve Boast, vice-chair at IMB Peterborough, said: "We are particularly concerned about the number of prisoners who have been sent to HMP Peterborough while showing symptoms of severe mental illness.

"We have asked that the prisons' minister work with the Department of Health and Social Care to ensure those with serious mental health issues in the criminal justice system are directed to a more appropriate pathway."

'Respect and care'

An HMP Peterborough spokesperson said: "The health and safety of our staff and prisoners is our priority, and we are continuously monitoring how we can improve.

"Since April 2023, mental health services are provided by a separately commissioned provider. However, we are working very positively with them to support ongoing improvements."

The report also praised the efforts of staff who supported prisoners who intentionally injured themselves and highlighted how they managed "violence assertively".

"The prison provides a structured and fair regime, and prisoners have been observed being treated with respect, care, and compassion," the report said.