§ Mr. Aspinwallasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what provision is made in England for secure accommodation for mentally disturbed young girls who require psychiatric treatment.
§ Sir George YoungHealth authorities and local authorities are expected to make appropriate provision which so far as possible meets the specific needs of individual mentally disturbed young girls who require psychiatric treatment. When secure accommodation is required the necessary degree of security may be achieved by physical means, by a high ratio of staff per girl, or by a balance of both. This applies to accommodation and treatment in NHS facilities, to girls in the care of local authorities, to those detained under section 53 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933 in secure units in community homes, and to those in youth treatment centres. Exceptionally, young girls requiring psychiatric treatment under conditions of special security may be admitted to one of the special hospitals. Psychiatric treatment for mentally disordered young girls, whose condition is of a nature or degree not to warrant detention under the Mental Health Act, is also available within some prison department establishments, but this is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department.
§ Mr. Aspinwallasked the Secretary of State for Social Services on how many occasions a young girl has been confined to a remand centre by a court because there is no provision of suitable secure accommodation where a person can receive proper psychiatric treatment.
§ Sir George YoungAdmissions to remand centres of girls under 17 awaiting trial were ended on 1 March 1979, but those convicted of a criminal offence and awaiting
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Period of waiting Under 1 year 1–2 years 2–3 years 3–4 years Over 4 years Total Hospital Age M F M F M F M F M F M F Broadmoor 20 and under 1 — — — — — — — — — 1 — 21 – 30 1 — — — — — — — — — 1 — 31 – 40 4 — 1 1 2 — — — — — 7 1 41 – 50 5 — 1 — — 1 — — 1 — 7 1 51 – 60 5 — 1 — — — — — — — 6 — Over 60 1 — — — — 1 — — — — 1 1 Total 17 — 3 1 2 2 — — 1 — 23 3 sentence may still be admitted. In 1979, some 125 were so received. Reasons for admission are not recorded centrally.
§ Mr. Aspinwallasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what provision is made in the county of Avon for secure accommodation for mentally disturbed young people who require treatment.
§ Sir George YoungIn the county of Avon secure accommodation for mentally disturbed young people who require treatment is available in local authority secure units at Kingswood and The Crescent community homes with support as necessary from NHS personnel. The question of any provision which may be made in prison department establishments is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department. If my hon. Friend has a particular case in mind I shall be glad to look into it if he will let me have details.