HC Deb 01 August 1946 vol 426 cc224-5W
Dr. Barnett Stross

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many medically-qualified psychiatrists are employed full time and how many part time in British prisons; and what percentage of prisoners who are sentenced with the assumption that they will receive treatment by a psychiatrist are, in fact, so treated.

Mr. Ede

Of the 28 whole time medical officers at present in the Prison Service, six hold the Diploma of Psychological Medicine, and all the more senior medical officers in the Prison Service have had considerable experience in psychiatry. There are three medically qualified psychiatrists attached to the Prison Service for part time service. It is not possible to answer the second part of the Question. All cases in which there is any reason to think psychiatric treatment might be beneficial, whether a court has or has not suggested such treatment are investigated, and if it appears likely that such treatment will be advantageous during the prison sentence, it is provided.

Dr. Stross

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners who were sent to Walton Gaol, Liverpool, in 1945, were recommended when sentenced for treatment by a psychiatrist; what percentage of the total number of prisoners this constituted; how many received such treatment; for what periods of time and at what intervals.

Mr. Ede

The number of persons who received psychiatric examination at the prison during 1945, was 607, including 168 who were remanded with a request from the Court for a Mental report. Of the 607 a number received treatment. The number of persons who, when sentenced, were recommended by the court for psychiatric treatment was six of whom two were found suitable for such treatment. It is not possible to state for what periods and at what intervals the treatment was given. The total number of receptions at the prison in 1945 was 4,026.