Serious concerns over the care of psychiatric patients in prison have been voiced for many years and there have been policy initiatives aimed at diverting the seriously mentally ill from prison into the health and social care system, and promoting better partnerships between prison and the National Health Service. However, the House of Commons Health Select Committee has recently drawn attention to a range of unresolved issues, including the standard of psychiatric care in prisons. During the follow-up period, symptom levels, suicide attempts, and substance abuse were frequent and major problems. Although a history of psychiatric illness was noted on first reception health screen in 70 percent of the subjects, only 53 percent reported having received any help for a mental, drug abuse, or emotional problem since the baseline interview. The article claims that study findings clearly demonstrate the need to provide effective continuity of care to these severely ill people, who periodically find themselves in prison, while also managing risks to the public. The article also points out the need for improved coordination of care between the Prison Service and health and social services. Tables, note, references