HC Deb 15 February 1983 vol 37 cc86-7W
Mr. Kilroy-Silk

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many mentally disordered persons were in prison department establishments on 31 December 1982; how many were in each prison; and what were the categories of the Mental Health Act 1959 into which they fell.

Mr. Mellor

Information is set out below for 30 September 1982—the latest date for which figures are available—on the number of persons in prison department establishments whom prison medical officers considered to be mentally disordered within the meaning of the Mental Health Act 1959.

Establishment Total Mental Illness Severe Subnormality Subnormality Psychopathic Disorder
Wormwood Scrubs 2 2
Totals 286 210 1 24 51

Mr. Kilroy-Silk

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the throughput of mentally disordered prisoners in 1982 by sex and type of disorder; and if he will identify those who were juveniles and young offenders.

Mr. Mellor

This information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Mr. Kilroy-Silk

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many mentally disordered prisoners were discharged during 1982.

Mr. Mellor

During the year from 1 October 1981 to 30 September 1982—the latest period for which figures are available—1,437 persons whom prison medical officers considered to be mentally disordered within the meaning of the Mental Health Act 1959 left prison department custody. This figure included sentenced inmates who may have completed their sentence or been transferred to hospital and unsentenced inmates who may have been transferred to hospital, granted bail, acquitted, given a non-custodial sentence or made subject to a hospital order.

Mr. Kilroy-Silk

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many mentally disordered prisoners were discharged in 1982 with a form 726A being sent to a local authority.

Mr. Mellor

During the year ended 31 December 1982, the number of mentally disordered prisoners who were discharged from prison department custody with a form 726A being sent to a local authority was 28.