HC Deb 02 March 1989 vol 148 c266W
43. Mr. O'Brien

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he plans to take to reduce the number of mentally disturbed people sent to prison.

Mr. Douglas Hogg

We are preparing guidance to the courts encouraging the use of their powers under the Mental Health Act 1983 to divert mentally disturbed offenders from the penal system.

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