HC Deb 24 November 1999 vol 339 c122W
Mr. Hesford

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the general regime at the high-security disruptive prisoner unit at HMP Woodhill; and whether there are facilities, including treatment facilities, for prisoners detained in that unit who have significant mental health problems. [98449]

Mr. Boateng

There are three close supervision centres (CSCs) in Woodhill prison offering restricted, structured and intervention regimes. These provide a co-ordinated range of regimes to manage seriously disruptive prisoners. The regimes aim to facilitate change and encourage improved behaviour.

Prison doctors are encouraged to identify prisoners who need to be detained for medical treatment for mental disorder and to initiate action to effect their transfer to a suitable facility under the provisions of the Mental Health Act 1983.

There are no specific facilities for prisoners at Woodhill who have significant mental health problems. However, there is a CSC support centre at Durham prison for prisoners who may benefit from psychological support with psychiatric advice where appropriate.