Prisoners Mental Health Deteriorating at Wakefield
Date : 28th March 2010
Source : Helptheprisoners.org
Background
Naveed Bhatti is 30 Years old, and currently serving a 20 year sentence in the United Kingdom at Wakefield Prison after being found guilty of terrorism offences. Since his incarceration, his condition has deteriorated to such an extent that his family fear for his safety.
He suffers from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), a psychological condition that worsens if left untreated or subjected to extreme stress. The sufferers of this condition which is classified as an anxiety disorder, frequently may appear psychotic, paranoid and withdrawn. In Naveeds case, when his father attended a visit, he felt that his condition had deteriorated, fixated with cleaning and washing repeatedly after such innocuous actions as opening a door.
Despite all this. The prison service instead of being sympathetic towards his condition and arranging for psychological treatment, they seem to almost take a delight in antagonising it. He is subjected to repeated cell-searches with dogs, in which the dog saliva already recognised in Islam as being impure, causes Naveed intense stress and grief. In addition the guards often direct abuse towards him, throwing his Qu’ran on the ground and cursing at him as he walks past or during the searches.
Due to this treatment, he has become completely irrational and suicidal. In a phonecall to his father earlier this year, he stated that he no longer wishes to live. He feels impure all the time, and as a result has been neglectful in his prayers and has even begun to question his belief.
The prison service has a duty of care towards all inmates regardless of religion. It states in the prison service orders that :-
“the prison service is committed to racial equality. Improper discrimination on the base of colour, race, nationality, ethnic or national origins, or religion is unacceptable, as is any racial abuse or insulting language or behaviour on the part of any member of staff, prisoner or visitors, neither shall be tolerated”.
- PSO 2800
Through the prison at Wakefields failure to provide Naveed with appropriate care, they are violating the following :-
“establishments must ensure that there are systems in place so that prisoners requesting, or identified as needing help from healthcare are made aware of how to access help and are able to receive such help from healthcare within appropriate timeframes.”
- PSO 3050
We call on Wakefield Prison and the prison service to provide adequate care to Naveed Bhatti and cease his harassment.
Actions Required
Contact Wakefield prison demanding they provide adequate care
Contact the Prison Service, your MP and the Home Secretary advising of Wakefields failure to provide adequate care
Key Contacts
Governor Jacqui Tilley
HMP Wakefield
5 Love Lane
Wakefield
West Yorkshire
WF2 9AG
Tel: 01924 612 000
Fax: 01924 612 001
Home Office
Direct Communications Unit
2 Marsham Street
London SW1P 4DF
Tel: 020 7035 4848
Fax: 020 7035 4745
Minicom: 020 7035 4742
Email: public.enquiries@homeoffic
H M Prison Service
Parliamentary, Correspondence & Briefing Unit
Room 536
Cleland
Page Street
London
SW1P 4LN
FAX: 0207 217 6403
Anne Owers, Prison Inspectorate
Ashley House
2 Monck Street
London
SW1P 2BQ
Tel 020 7035 2876
Fax 020 7035 2860
Email: mail@ppo.gsi.gov.uk
Sample Letter,
Dear ,
I am writing to you concerning Naveed Bhatti, an inmate at HMP Wakefield who is suffering from a mental illness that through treatment by the prison authorities is causing his condition to deteriorate.
He suffers from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), a psychological condition that worsens if left untreated or subjected to extreme stress. The sufferers of this condition which is classified as an anxiety disorder, frequently may appear psychotic, paranoid and withdrawn. In Naveeds case, when his father attended a visit, he felt that his condition had deteriorated, fixated with cleaning and washing repeatedly after such innocuous actions as opening a door.
Despite all this. The prison service instead of being sympathetic towards his condition and arranging for psychological treatment, they seem to almost take a delight in antagonising it. He is subjected to repeated cell-searches with dogs, in which the dog saliva already recognised in Islam as being impure, causes Naveed intense stress and grief. In addition the guards often direct abuse towards him, throwing his Qu’ran on the ground and cursing at him as he walks past or during the searches.
Due to this treatment, he has become completely irrational and suicidal. In a phonecall to his father earlier this year, he stated that he no longer wishes to live. He feels impure all the time, and as a result has been neglectful in his prayers and has even begun to question his belief.
The prison service has a duty of care towards all inmates regardless of religion. It states in the prison service orders that :-
“the prison service is committed to racial equality. Improper discrimination on the base of colour, race, nationality, ethnic or national origins, or religion is unacceptable, as is any racial abuse or insulting language or behaviour on the part of any member of staff, prisoner or visitors, neither shall be tolerated”.
- PSO 2800
Through the prison at Wakefields failure to provide Naveed with appropriate care, they are violating the following :-
“establishments must ensure that there are systems in place so that prisoners requesting, or identified as needing help from healthcare are made aware of how to access help and are able to receive such help from healthcare within appropriate timeframes.”
- PSO 3050
I request that he is given the medical care and treatment that he is entitled to regardless of his alleged offence or beliefs, and that if HMP Wakefield is unable to provide this he is transferred to a more sympathetic institution.
Regards,
