§ Mr. BerminghamTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list existing facilities for the treatment of prisoners who are psychiatrically ill or known to be drug dependent at Her Majesty's prison, Holloway; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggMost of the psychiatrically disturbed inmates of Holloway prison are remanded there566W for the purpose of assessment for the courts. Their care during this time is provided by the prison medical and nursing staff. Four of the five medical officers are registered under section 12 of the Mental Health Act 1983 or possess a diploma in psychiatric medicine. Over one third of the 65 nurses in post are psychiatrically qualified. The future arrangements for housing such inmates are being assessed.
If on reception at Holloway a person is identified as having a history of drug misuse she is offered the treatment that the medical officer, in her individual clinical judgement, considers necessary. In reaching her judgment the medical officer would have full regard to the possible merit of substitution or other therapies. Such an inmate would be located in one of the medical units until free of symptoms. Counselling and group therapy would be available in the medical unit and continue on normal location. Where indicated, individual psychotherapy with a visiting consultant psychotherapist would also be available.
§ Mr. BerminghamTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the total number of permanent medical staff currently employed at Her Majesty's prison Holloway; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggThe total number of permanent medical staff currently employed at Her Majesty's prison Holloway is as follows:
- 1 Principal Medical Officer
- 1 Senior Medical Officer
- 3 Medical Officers
- 46.5 Nurses
- 2 Hospital Officers
A further two hospital officers are attached to the prison hospital as supernumeraries and will join the permanent staff on successful completion of a four-week induction course. A drive to recruit additional nurses is well advanced, and Holloway is one of the priority establishments for the deployment of newly recruited hospital officers with suitable nursing qualifications.
§ Mr. BerminghamTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what was the prison population at Her Majesty's prison, Holloway, for the latest date available; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what was the total number of women being held on C wing at Her Majesty's prison, Holloway, for the latest date available; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggAt unlocking on Thursday 29 June the population at Her Majesty's prison Holloway was 466, including 137 in C wing.
§ Mr. BerminghamTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what was the total number of incidents of self-inflicted injury which have been recorded at Her Majesty's prison, Holloway, in(a) 1987, (b) 1988 and (c) current figures for 1989; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what was the total number of suicides which have occurred at Her Majesty's prison, Holloway, in each of the last five years for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggNo suicides have occured at Her Majesty's prison Holloway during the last five years. The available information on numbers of incidents of non-fatal self-injury relates to financial years and is as follows:
567W
Number 1986–87 149 1987–88 209 1988–89 85