Prison Medication: Access and Prescriptions
Last reviewed: July 2026
Who provides healthcare in prison?
Since 2013, NHS England has commissioned healthcare in prisons, so people in custody are entitled to the same range of health services as anyone in the community. Each prison has a healthcare team – GPs, nurses, pharmacists, mental health and substance-misuse specialists – and medication is a clinical matter handled by them, not by officers. GOV.UK’s healthcare for offenders guidance sets out the framework.
What happens to prescriptions on arrival
Everyone arriving at a prison has a first-night health screen. Tell the nurse about every medicine you take, the doses, and your GP’s details – healthcare can request your community records. Most routine prescriptions (blood pressure, diabetes, asthma, thyroid and similar) continue without a problem, though the exact brand may change to what the prison pharmacy stocks. Some medicines – especially those that are commonly misused inside, such as opioid painkillers, gabapentinoids, benzodiazepines and some ADHD medicines – are usually re-assessed by the prison GP before being represcribed, and alternatives may be offered. This is one of the most common friction points in the first weeks, so bring (or have family provide) an up-to-date repeat-prescription list if possible.
In-possession vs supervised medication
| How it’s issued | What it means | Typical medicines |
|---|---|---|
| In possession | You keep a supply (often 7–28 days) in your cell and manage it yourself, like at home | Inhalers, blood-pressure tablets, statins, creams, most long-term condition medicines |
| Restricted in possession | Shorter supply (e.g. 7 days) after an individual risk assessment | Medicines that are riskier in overdose, such as some antidepressants |
| Supervised (not in possession) | Collected dose-by-dose at the medication hatch, swallowed in front of staff | Controlled drugs, opioid substitution (methadone/buprenorphine), medicines with high diversion risk |
The in-possession decision is based on an individual risk assessment covering your safety, the safety of others, and the risk of medicines being traded or stolen. The NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service explains the approach to medicines in possession in prisons. Assessments can be reviewed – if you are moved to supervised collection and disagree, you can ask healthcare to reconsider or use the complaints process.
Mental health, substance misuse and ongoing care
Mental health medication continues in prison, and every prison has a mental health in-reach team – see Rethink’s guide to mental health care in prison. People dependent on opioids, alcohol or other substances are seen by the substance misuse team, usually within 24 hours, and clinically managed withdrawal or substitution treatment is provided. On release, you should leave with a short supply of medication and a discharge letter for your GP.
• “You can bring your own medication in” – you cannot keep medicines brought from home or sent in by family; everything must be prescribed and dispensed by prison healthcare.
• “Officers hand out medication” – only healthcare staff do; officers have no role in prescribing decisions.
• “Prescriptions carry on automatically” – they continue only after clinical review, and some medicines are switched or tapered.
• “Refusing the hatch queue is fine” – repeatedly missing supervised doses can lead to medicines being stopped, so tell staff if there is a reason you cannot attend.
FAQ
What should families do before someone goes to prison?
Get a printed repeat-prescription list or summary care record from the GP, note any specialist clinics, and make sure the person takes this information to court with them. It speeds up continuity enormously.
Can prisoners see a GP or specialist?
Yes – you apply for a healthcare appointment. Hospital and specialist appointments happen under escort, and long waits are unfortunately common, as inspection reports from HM Inspectorate of Prisons regularly note.
What if medication is stopped and the person disagrees?
Ask for a review with the prescriber, use the prison complaints form (COMP 1), and if needed contact the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman. Families can also raise concerns with the prison’s healthcare provider directly.
Is medication free in prison?
Yes. There are no prescription charges in custody.
Medication worries are among the most common questions we hear from families. Our founder Daniel Hockey, who served his own sentence (HMP Wandsworth through to open conditions at HMP Ford) and wrote The Secret Prisoner, saw daily how much smoother things go when people arrive with their prescription details ready. For related guidance, see our pages on prison information and prison how-tos.
