HC Deb 07 March 1957 vol 566 c528
32. Dr. Stross

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many medical practitioners are employed full-time in prisons in England and Wales; and of these how many hold the Diploma of Psychological Medicine.

Mr. Simon

Forty-nine and six, respectively.

Dr. Stross

Would it not be reasonable to ask that when any improvements are made in the service a special point should be made of ensuring that as many medical men as possible who serve full-time in the prisons should have the diploma and that outsiders coming in to assist should also, where possible, be skilled in psychological medicine?

Mr. Simon

In the case of applications relating to the prison service, the diploma is regarded as an advantage but not a prerequisite or essential, because the posts do not involve full-time psychiatric work. When an outside consultant is brought in, he is always a specialist.