HC Deb 08 February 1962 vol 653 c616
42. Mr. Driberg

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners, in all, have now been accommodated in the special wing at Brixton Prison; how many of them have been returned to ordinary prisons; how many have been transferred to mental institutions; how many have been released on the completion of their sentences; and if he will publish in HANSARD a summary assessment of the results of this experiment.

The Joint Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. Charles Fletcher-Cooke)

Of the nine prisoners who have passed through the special wing at Brixton four have been transferred to mental hospitals under the Mental Health Act, 1959, two improved enough to be given a chance in a training prison where they are making reasonable progress, two have been transferred to ordinary prisons and the ninth has been sent to Wormwood Scrubs to receive treatment for an old physical injury.

Mr. Driberg

On the whole, can the hon. and learned Gentleman say whether this experiment is regarded as successful?

Mr. Fletcher-Cooke

On the whole, with certain reservations, yes, a success.

Mr. Lipton

Is the hon. and learned Gentleman going to continue this experiment, which, as he knows, has caused a certain amount of upheaval and dissatisfaction among prison warders?

Mr. Fletcher-Cooke

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman would give notice of that rather different question.