Patients'/prisoners' perspectives regarding the National Health Service mental healthcare provided in one Her Majesty's Prison Service establishment

Abstract

This paper focuses on patients'/prisoners' narratives that discuss the National Health Service mental healthcare provided in one Her Majesty's Prison Service establishment. In comparison to the general population, the prevalence of mental illness experienced by the prisoner population is exceedingly high. The prison environment is not conducive to mental health and this custodial clinical setting is not a useful catalyst for mental healthcare for myriad reasons. The pursuit of good mental health for patients in the penal milieu is challenging. For this medical sociology case study, qualitative semi-structured interviews are conducted with male prisoners in a Category B establishment. These participants are also primary or secondary level mental health service users. Analytical discussions concern the clinician-patient relationship and patients' opinions regarding the mental healthcare received. Debated concepts include: understanding, care, trust, flexibility, cooperation, conversation, relaxation, enjoyment and patient power. Mental healthcare receipt experiences and environments are important. © 2012 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.