41. Mr. E. HARVEYasked whether the Prison Commissioners are satisfied at the proportion of prisoners who become insane during the term of their imprisonment, and that this insanity could not have been prevented by a greater variety and elasticity in prison methods?
§ Sir G. CAVEThe Commissioners are satisfied that the proportion of prisoners who are certified insane during imprisonment is not excessive, having regard to the classes from which they are drawn, and the conditions of life under which they existed prior to conviction. They have no reason to think that the insanity is the result of imprisonment; but the close expert medical supervision in prison sometimes establishes the fact of insanity in cases where the symptoms would not be observed by medical men while the prisoner was at liberty.
§ Sir WILLIAM COLLINSHas not the Medical Commission in recent reports commented unfavourably upon the facilities that exist for transferring persons found to be of unsound or feeble mind to more appropriate institutions?
§ Sir G. CAVEThat is a wholly different question. Perhaps the hon. Member will put down a fresh question.