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Specific Needs of Foreign National Prisoners and the Threat to Their Mental Health From Being Imprisoned in a Foreign Country

NCJ Number
246289
Journal
Aggression and Violent Behavior Volume: 18 Issue: 2 Dated: March-April 2013 Pages: 240-246
Author(s)
Magali Barnoux; Jane Wood
Date Published
2013
Length
7 pages
Annotation
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.
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 , and 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.