Many service users within the justice system are extremely vulnerable to mental health challenges. Suicide and self-harm incidents have both increased in recent years. For those in prison who are struggling with their mental health, compassionate and informed care is vital, and organisations must provide the resources and training for staff that’s necessary to meet their needs.

These mental health challenges also have a major impact on the workforce around them. Prison employees may experience real trauma after supporting people going through a mental health crisis.

The pressures faced by those working in the justice system are immense. Even at the best of times these roles are demanding and highly stressful, let alone during the challenges the sector is now experiencing. This makes mental health support not just beneficial, but essential for the wellbeing of employees and services users, and for overall service delivery.

By taking mental health seriously, we can create a healthier, more resilient environment for both staff and service users, ultimately improving outcomes across the justice sector.

Mental health is high on the agenda for the justice sector, with prison staff constantly innovating to try and provide support and reduce suicide and self-harm rates. However, because of the lack of funding and expertise, as well as the issues of overcrowding and recruitment and retention amongst others, it’s not surprising that the sector is struggling to keep up with the added pressures imposed by this mental health crisis.

That is why the contribution of voluntary organisations, particularly in terms of mental health support, is so crucial and can help ease some of the pressure the system is facing.

The Prison Phoenix Trust (PPT) are doing just that. PPT is a charity which supports prisoner mental health and wellbeing with meditation and yoga. The charity was recognised last month as the runner up in the Health and Wellbeing Employer category at the Year at the Inspire Justice Awards.

PPT was praised highly for its innovative use of yoga and meditation to support the mental health of prisoners during the Covid-19 pandemic and beyond.

Covid was a particularly challenging time for prisoners and staff, with much longer periods of lock-up since becoming the norm. In 2023, 42% of prisoners were locked up for 22 hours or more each day on weekdays. At weekends 60% of prisoners for 22 hours or more.

Director of The Prison Phoenix Trust, Selina Sasse, accepting an Inspire Justice Award in 2024

The results of engaging with PPT’s services speak for themselves; 87% of prisoners at one adult prison reported that they felt better physically, 75% experienced improved mental focus, 73% had improved mood, 69% benefited from improved sleep, and 69% felt better able to manage stress.

Jamie Bennett is a former Prison Governor and Chief Strategy Officer at Youth Justice Board. He says:

“Over many years working in prisons, I have seen people benefit from yoga and meditation. It has helped them on their journey towards health, happiness and realising their potential.”

Accepting the award at a ceremony held in London, director Selina Sasse said:

“This is absolutely fantastic – we have an incredible team and we’re just immensely proud of everything everybody does.

“Our yoga teachers go into prison each week to teach classes; it’s also really important to recognise that our support for the well-being of people in prison is also hugely contributed to by people who are serving sentences, who encourage others and enable us to escalate what we do and try and help people.

“To be recognised for our contribution is massively significant. The mental health of people in prison and staff members is really important because it’s a really, really tough and very, very hard environment. What we do is try to and help people who are working in prison to bring the best of themselves.

“Many people we work with are able to turn things around and come out of prison in a better place with more self-respect and self-esteem and feeling more positive about their lives. That in turn creates safe communities and helps people to reintegrate back into society.”

Supporting mental health in the justice sector is essential for both staff and service users. Organisations like the Prison Phoenix Trust show the significant impact mental health programmes can have on fostering wellbeing and positive change, improving the outlook for those in prisons and the wellbeing of those working across the justice sector.

Find out more about the Inspire Justice Awards →