Women Jailed at HMP Bronzefield: A Mental Health Crisis
By Cash Murphy
South East
A new report reveals a dire situation for women in acute mental distress, who are being held at Europe's largest female prison, HMP Bronzefield, due to a severe shortage of mental health beds. The Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) has raised concerns that have been largely unresolved since 2023, highlighting the need for urgent action.
The IMB's annual report on HMP Bronzefield, located in Surrey, found that 22 women were sent to the prison as a 'place of safety' under the Mental Health Act in 2024-2025, an increase from 19 in the previous year. The 18-bed healthcare unit is consistently full, with a waiting list of prisoners referred for in-patient beds.
This shortage of beds in secure psychiatric hospitals has led to significant transfer delays for prisoners. Only 45% of cases met the target transfer time of 28 days, while 27% waited more than 56 days. The IMB noted that this puts considerable pressure on staff, other prisoners, and available beds.
Despite the challenges, the IMB praised prison staff for their dedication and performance in extremely difficult conditions. HMP Bronzefield was never designed to provide extensive specialist mental healthcare, and the current situation is a stark reminder of the urgent need for reform in the criminal justice system's approach to mental health.
