The increasing rate of mental illness and the lack of therapeutic spaces for people who are at risk of self-harm and suicide are key concerns affecting custodial environments. It has consistently been recognised that those in custody experience increased rates of mental illness (Baksheev et al., 2010; Samele et al., 2021; Adams & Ferrandino, 2008).
Incarceration can be stressful due to a loss of autonomy, unfamiliar surroundings, loneliness and separation from friends and family, which all greatly influence and exacerbate mental health disorders (Canada & al, 2022). For those with mental illnesses, time in custody increases the risk of chronic physical and emotional trauma (Canada & al, 2022). Poor mental health within correctional facilities has been associated with self-harm, disruptive behaviour, victimisation and poorer social outcomes upon release, including an increased risk of recidivism (Rose et al., 2019). Therefore, it is essential people in custody have access to adequate mental health care to improve their prospects of rehabilitation and reintegration back into the community. However, custodial environments are often not suitable environments to manage mental health crises and delivering treatment can be difficult. Some challenges custodial environments experience include a lack of therapeutic design considerations, poorly designed infrastructure, and capacity limitations.