Prison is no place for people with mental illnesses. I know because I was in one | Bryony Friars

Being locked up only made my condition, later diagnosed as bipolar disorder, worse in every possible way

I arrived on the same day as Maria. She was shy, withdrawn and reminded me of a fragile bird as she leaned over her hot drink to keep warm. We would talk in the garden, the only place to find any peace, and fantasise about eating lasagne and drinking red wine.

We were in prison. I was on remand awaiting trial. I had been arrested while suffering a psychotic episode - I would be there for six months until the hospital order arrived from the court. It felt like six years.

Bryony Friars is a pseudonym. She is a student living in the north of England

In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org or jo@samaritans.ie, and Mind on 0300 123 3393. In the US, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. Other international helplines can be found at www.befrienders.org.