Sir, The tragedy of Zahid Mubarek’s death is symptomatic of the continuing malaise in the criminal justice system’s approach to the crucial issue of mental health (report, June 30).

Countless reports have told us that mental healthcare in prisons is inadequate, particularly for the youngest prisoners. At least seven in ten prisoners have mental health problems and some of them should not be there at all. Despite the Government’s commitment to bring healthcare standards inside prisons in line with those outside, prisoners are still routinely failed in this area.

We support the inquiry’s recommendation that there be a review of the care provided to these prisoners. With our prisons reaching their maximum capacity, mental health problems will only worsen, as staff time and prison resources are spread ever more thinly.

PAUL FARMER
Chief executive, Mind

ANGELA GREATLEY
Chief executive, Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health

CLIFF PRIOR
Chief executive, Rethink

ANDREW MCCULLOCH
Chief executive, the Mental Health Foundation

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