We will be looking at the ways in which sub-postmasters, sub-postmistresses, and other postal workers experienced the legal system be it when they faced demands to pay Horizon debts they did not owe, when they lost their role in their post-office, or when they were investigated and prosecuted.
We have already conducted a study into the mental health impacts of unjust accusations.We surveyed 101 victims of the Post Office Scandal wrongly accused, convicted and/or investigated for financial ‘losses’ caused by software errors. Most respondents reported clinically significant post-traumatic stress (67%) and depressive (60%) symptoms—irrespective of the outcome of their case. These results suggest that both wrongful accusation and wrongful conviction can significantly impair mental health. You can read more here.
You can get a sense of some of the impacts from listening to the stories of Tracy Felstead and Tim Brentnall when they gave evidence to the Horizon IT Inquiry*.
We would like to thank Tracy and Tim for giving their permission for us to tell their stories in this way.
Many people have already successfully appealed their convictions and are receiving compensation. But understandably, some may find the prospect of the legal process daunting or emotionally distressing. There is, however, help and support available.
Citizens Advice provides a free, confidential service for people affected by the Post Office Horizon scandal. Its dedicated web page includes details of law firms who are representing others and therefore very familiar with Post Office cases, as well as links to other helpful sites, including the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC).
Citizens Advice can be contacted by phone on 01670 339777, Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm
Information on the scandal, assistance available, and the progress of compensation is also available on the Horizon IT Scandal section of the Post Office website.
If you are concerned about mental health harms, the resources below may be helpful:
If you would like to discuss mental health issues you are having, you can contact Samaritans 24/7. They are available via phone (116 123) or via email (jo@samaritans.org; response time 24 hours), and also have a Welsh language phone line (0808 164 0123).
If you prefer not to talk but want mental health support you can text “SHOUT” to 85258, for 24/7 support via text.
If you are having thoughts of suicide you can call the National Suicide Prevention Helpline 24/7 on 0800 689 5652. Note that if you have serious concerns for your own or someone else’s immediate safety you should go to Accident and Emergency or phone the emergency services on 999 for assistance.
*We are grateful to the Inquiry for permission to use these video clips. The information and its use in our research is neither commissioned nor endorsed by the Inquiry.
