The state of secondary mental healthcare in prisons during a pandemic: an analysis of prison inspection reports from England and Wales.

The challenges facing mental healthcare provision in prisons are well established, however these have been amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this paper is to understand mental healthcare service delivery in prisons in the context of the pandemic. Forty-four inspection reports published by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Prisons (HMIP) for England and Wales were analysed thematically, focusing solely on sections specific to secondary mental healthcare delivery. Conclusions highlight the need for greater resource and investment in prison mental health services, as well as action to maximise the opportunities to advance service delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]