§ Mr. Berminghamasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many persons suffering from (a) drug dependency, and (b) alcoholism were sent to prison in each year from 1980 to 1985;
(2) how many prisoners suffering from (a) drug dependency or (b) alcoholism were treated in (i) prison or (ii) medical establishments in each year from 1980 to 1985.
(3) how many prisoners suffering from (a) drug dependency or (b) alcoholism were refused treatment by a medical establishment in each year from 1980 to 1985.
§ Mr. MellorIn the period 1 January 1984 to 31 March 1985* a total of 3,737 inmates were reported by prison medical officers as having some degree of dependence on drugs at the time of their reception into custody. The corresponding information for the four preceding calendar years is as follows:
Number 1980 1,003 1981 1,558 1982 1,666 1983 1,827 The other information requested is not statistically recorded.
* In this period the Prison Department was in the process of changing from an arrangement under which medical statistics were kept on a calendar year basis to one under which they are now kept on a financial year basis. Statistics for the financial year 1985–86 will be published in the report on the work of the Prison Department for that year.