Mentally Disordered Offenders (Hansard, 30 November 1987)

§ Mr. Hurd

A joint Home Office/DHSS working group of officials chaired by Dr. John L. Kilgour, CB, Director of Prison Medical Services was set up last year to consider and report to Ministers on the problems presented by mentally disordered offenders in the prison system in England and Wales. There were two main objectives; to see what could be done to minimise the numbers of such prisoners, and to develop arrangements for their treatment whilst in custody and after.

The working group's report describes various factors which bear on the issue and steps which are being taken, or should be put in hand, to bring about improvements. The Government accept the 16 recommendations made. In addition to measures for improving administrative procedures within the Home Office and the prison service, the recommendations include: Making sure that the courts are fully aware of the non-custodial options open to them, particularly their powers of remand to hospital for report or treatment under sections 35 and 36 of the Mental Health Act 1983, and of the facilities available in the health system. Continuing as a priority the planned study by the institute of psychiatry, university of London, to produce over the next three years a psychiatric profile of the prison population. Further encouraging regional health authorities to develop a comprehensive network of provision to meet mental health-care needs in their regions. Establishing arrangements for patients in prison, on the request of the responsible medical officer, to be assessed by NHS medical staff so that where necessary plans can be made for their continuing care and support on release back into the community.

The report is being made available, on request, to interested organisations and individuals. Copies have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.