§ Mr. Moonmanasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) to what extent the psychiatric service provided for patients in prisons are resulting in rehabilitation of such prisoners; and if he will make a statement;
(2) if he keeps records of the ratio of prisoners with psychiatric disorders to other prisoners in Her Majesty's prisons; and if he will make a statement on the psychiatric care in Her Majesty's prisons.
§ Dr. SummerskillNo central record is maintained of the number of prisoners requiring psychiatric treatment during their sentence. Figures for those who are the subject of recommendations under Sections 72 and 73 of the Mental Health Act 1959 are published in the annual reports to Parliament on the work of the Prison Department. Appropriate psychiatric care in prison and on release is arranged by the medical officer for any prisoner whom he considers to be in need of it. It is available during a prisoner's sentence, from suitably qualified prison medical officers, visiting psychotherapists and consultant forensic psychiatrists. Progress necessarily varies with individual cases.