Citation

Barnoux M, Wood J. Aggress. Violent Behav. 2013; 18(2): 240-246.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.avb.2012.11.012

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Foreign national prisoners represent an increasingly significant and vulnerable proportion of the prison estate in England and Wales, accounting for 13% of the population in custody (. Prison Reform Trust, 2010). They are ever present in the Safer Custody statistics, accounting for nearly a quarter of self-harm incidents and self-inflicted deaths (. HM Inspectorate of Prisons, 2009). Recent Inspectorate Reports (2006, 2007, 2010) and a handful of research studies outline the lack of support facing many foreign national prisoners, in terms of language problems, social and cultural isolation, family support, immigration uncertainties and diversity issues. This paper reviews the current context of the foreign national prisoner population in England and Wales, paying particular attention to their experiences, specific needs, and potential threat to their mental health from being imprisoned in a foreign country. We then offer suggestions as to how these issues can be addressed by reviewing existing initiatives and making recommendations for future research. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd.

Language: en

Keywords

human; language; mental health; suicide; Ethnicity; Mental Health; immigration; family; United Kingdom; prison; sex difference; social support; risk assessment; social isolation; review; Prisoners; population structure; socioeconomics; population research; automutilation; custody; priority journal; social problem; ethnic group; health service; prisoner; medical research; health hazard; punishment; detention; vulnerable population; personal experience; social discrimination; cultural deprivation; cultural bias; Isolation; geographic origin; human needs; Needs