§ Mr. Thomas Coxasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much psychotherapy or other treatment is provided at Wakefield, Gloucester and Maidstone prisons; what kind of treatment is given; and how much research has been undertaken to assess its effectiveness at these special units.
§ Mr. MayhewAll three prisons are visited by consultant psychiatrists. The number and the hours for which they are employed vary according to the need of the establishment and is regularly reviewed. The psychiatrist decides whether the patient referred to him would benefit most from individual or group counselling and both methods may be used. Psychotherapy is a conventional treatment commonly in use in medical practice and research is not being undertaken into its effectiveness in these prisons.
§ Mr. Thomas Coxasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what type of régime is provided in the 68W special units at Wakefield, Gloucester and Maidstone prisons; and for how long prisoners are allowed out of their cells on weekdays and at weekends.
§ Mr. MayhewThe régimes of the rule 43 special units at Wakefield, Gloucester and Maidstone prisons are designed to maximise opportunities for the inmates to live in association: emphasis is placed on work, education services, recreational activities and exercise. Inmates at these establishments are allowed out of their cells for approximately 11, 13 and 13½ hours respectively on weekdays and 12½, 9½ and 11 hours at weekends.