HC Deb 19 July 1954 vol 530 cc83-4W
Mr. Llewellyn

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the institution for psychiatric offenders to be built at Grendon Underwood will be classified as a prison; and if he will make a statement.

Sir D. Maxwell Fyfe

The proposed institution will be within the prison system and under the control of the Prison Commissioners. This prison will be the first of its kind in this country. It is commonly referred to as the East-Hubert Institution, from the names of the two psychiatrists who recommended in 1939 that it should be set up. It is intended to provide for the care, study and treatment of selected groups of defined classes of prisoners. The larger proportion of these would probably require active psychiatric treatment, but others would be included who are unsuitable for the observation wings of ordinary prisons, or for research purposes. No one would go there who is certifiable as insane. The prison will accommodate about 300 cases. There will be provision for both men and women, and for Borstal boys and girls.