§ Mr. Alexanderasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many patients have ben sent to the Eastdale unit, at Balderton hospital; how many of those had to be sent back to their original place of detention, as not being suitable; and how many have committed 312W (a) minor, and (b) violent crimes since their release, and had to be returned to prison, or other state institutions.
§ Sir George Young[pursuant to his reply, 3 April 1980, c. 400–401]: At 14 April 1980, 176 patients had been transferred from special hospitals to the East-dale unit since the unit opened in May 1974.
Of that number, 36 patients had had to be returned to the special hospitals, having been found unsuitable or various reasons. Of the patients returned, nine were again transferred to the unit at a later date.
Of the 84 patients conditionally discharged from the unit by 31 December 1979, and who were subject to restrictions under section 65 of the Mental Health Act 1959 with compulsory aftercare and supervision, nine have been subsequently imprisoned and one has been made the subject of a hospital order and committed to a special hospital. Information about the nature of their offences is not readily available.
No record is available in respect of the unrestricted patients discharged who are not subject to compulsory follow-up.