International recommendation

Mental health care in prison

Issue date:
Human rights body:
Committee Against Torture (CAT)
Themes:
Access to healthcareIsolation and solitary confinementMental healthTreatment of prisoners and prison facilities
Populations of concern:
Persons with disabilitiesPersons with mental health issues
Relevant CAT articles:
Art. 11 – Review of detention proceduresArt. 12 – Prompt and impartial investigationArt. 13 – Right of victims to complainArt. 14 – Right of victims to adequate remedyArt. 16 – Prevention of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatmentArt. 2 – Prevention of torture
Source:
CAT/C/NOR/CO/8, para. 20

Recommended measures (1)

Measure
Measure types:
Practices and guidelinesResources
Responsible Ministries:
Ministry of Health and Care ServicesMinistry of Justice and Public Security

The Committee reiterates its recommendation (see CAT/C/NOR/CO/6-7, para. 13) that the State party take all measures to ensure that prisoners with psychosocial disabilities and serious mental health problems receive adequate mental health care, by increasing the capacity of inpatient psychiatric wards, including the security departments, and providing full access to mental health care services within all prison facilities. It should abolish the use of full isolation of persons with mental and psychosocial disabilities, in particular when their conditions would be exacerbated by such measures.