A Westminster inquiry into healthcare in prisons will travel to Belfast today to take evidence from medical experts.
The Northern Ireland Affairs Committee will hear from Prof Roy McClelland, who drew up a review of mental health care in the North, and a forensic psychologist with experience in the field.
SDLP member Dr Alasdair McDonnell, a south Belfast GP, said he hoped there would eventually be recommendations to overhaul the service.
"The committee is likely to recommend a much improved standard of healthcare for prisoners including mental health," he said. He added up to half of all inmates had mental health difficulties.
The hearing follows several prison deaths associated with personality disorders and mental health issues.
In February a jury found the suicide of Roseanne Irvine (34) in Maghaberry Prison could have been prevented. The coroner's court heard the prison system failed the prisoner, who was found hanging in her cell in 2004, even though she was on suicide watch.
PA