HC Deb 17 March 1960 vol 619 c1471
13. Mr. Fitch

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he proposes to introduce the Group Council Scheme into all Her Majesty's prisons; and if he will make a statement on this experiment.

Mr. R. A. Butler

The object of group counselling is to help inmates to think out their attitude to society, to authority and to their own future by means of free discussion in a small group with a member of the staff. The system is in operation in six prisons and five Borstals, and I am arranging for its extension to three more prisons and three more Borstals. Whether it will prove desirable or practicable to use it in all prisons I cannot yet say.