WOMEN with mental illnesses or severe personality disorders are still being admitted to prison, according to a report on Brockhill jail.

The Independent Monitoring Board's annual report on the Tardebigge's women's prison said that it is an inappropriate environment for such people, as it puts a heavy burden on officers who are not trained to deal with mental health issues.

However, the report also praised staff at the prison, which holds 148 adults and young people over the age of 18, for their ability to deal with the vulnerable and mentally ill prisoners.

"Looking after vulnerable and sometimes mentally disturbed females is not easy," the report said.

"The staff have understanding and experience and cope well in these difficult circumstances."

Another matter which raised concern in the report is the turnover of prisoners.

It is believed they do not remain in the establishment long enough for their problems to be addressed effectively, says the report.

But healthcare at the jail has been boosted after the Primary Care Trust started providing a service in the prison's new healthcare centre last April. The report notes that those on medication, methadone programmes and pregnant women all receive appropriate care. The report concluded that Brockhill staff have coped well in difficult circumstances, but that building work has been a major disruption over the last 12 months.

"Ongoing building operations over this last year have disrupted much of the life in the prison and it is hoped that when it is all completed this establishment will have the opportunity to fulfil its true potential in a more settled environment," said the report.