It is the result of a prison health taskforce set up in the North West in 1997.

Mental health

7% of convicted men display some form of psychosis 0.4% of the general population display some form of psychosis 66% of women remand prisoners have symptoms of depression 11% of the general population have symptoms of depression

The opening of the suite co-incides with World Mental Health Day.

A large majority of Strangeways' inmates are said to have some degree of mental health problems.

Community nurses now take a role with people recently discharged from the prison's inpatient unit, which gives overnight assessment of those with known mental health concerns.

Officers in the "discipline wing" and liaison officers have undertaken university-based training in this field.

Groups or individuals can also get help from occupational and art therapists in an educational environment.

John Smith: "Fewer victims, less crime"

Strangeway's prison governor, John Smith, said: "If we can enable prisoners at the time when they are stable within the prison to actually confront these mental health issues, enable them to live with them constructively, if necessary to get it onto a drug control regime, then the chances are that they are going to be more successful when they are released, which means fewer victims and less crime."

The North West's regional director of public health, Professor John Ashton, said: "If people leave prison more damaged than they went in, they become a burden on our health service and on their families.

"They also burden the community with crime and disorder.

"Strangeways inmates can now address a whole range of issues, such as anger management, life skills, relaxation and family relationships."