§ Mr. Bensonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether he is in a position to make a statement on the psychiatric treatment of offenders in Wormwood Scrubs and Holloway prisons.
§ Mr. H. MorrisonThe Prison Commissioners have appointed two experienced 1961W consulting psychiatrists to act as part-time medical officers at Wormwood Scrubs and Holloway Prisons. The medical officers at all prisons have been fully instructed as to the types of case in which psychological treatment may be beneficial and these cases are transferred to Wormwood Scrubs or Holloway for assessment and such treatment as is desirable. The psychiatrist at Wormwood Scrubs was appointed in February, 1943. During 1943 he examined 60 male prisoners, of whom 42 were found after full investigation to be unsuitable for treatment and 18 received full courses of treatment. The psychiatrist at Holloway began work in April, 1944; she has so far investigated 25 cases, of whom 7 are receiving active treatment. It is too soon yet to assess the results of this work, but I shall watch its progress with interest.