§ 81. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what principle are convicted persons, to he considered for psychiatric treatment, selected; how many convicted persons in Great Britain were so selected during the three years before the war and during this postwar period; how many of these were adults and young persons; and what percentage were cured of criminal tendencies by the treatment.
§ Mr. Ede:Prisoners or Borstal inmates are considered for psychiatric investigation, with a view to treatment where that is indicated, in all cases where the nature of the offence, or evidence of an abnormal mental condition detected by the medical officer, indicate the desirability of such a course. The practicability of treatment in each case however depends on many factors, including the length of the sentence, the mental condition disclosed, and the willingness and ability of the patient to cooperate.
During the three years 1936, 1937 and 1938 the number of cases selected for psychiatric investigation or treatment was 199, but figures are not available to show what proportion of these cases were benefited by treatment, or the proportion of young prisoners and adults among them. The corresponding figure for 1943, 1944 and 1945 was 184, of whom 67 were below the age of 23 and 117 above it. Twenty-four per cent. of these persons were relieved or improved by treatment and are not known to have been reconvicted.