§ Mr. Nicholas WintertonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what treatment is available within prison for mentally disordered inmates serving sentences for rape; and what steps are taken to seek to prevent such men reoffending when they leave prison.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggSex offenders would normally be identified early in the prison reception process as requiring psychiatric assessment. Such assessment may be carried out by a suitably qualified prison medical officer or by a visiting specialist. Not all sex offenders are found to be grossly disturbed or in need of treatment whether from doctors, psychiatrists or psychologists. Where the diagnosis does suggest that the inmate's behaviour was the result of an underlying mental illness, specific treatment would be provided for that illness. If the behaviour was secondary to an aspect of personality disorder, the inmate might be offered psychotherapy, group therapy, behaviour therapy or a combination of these. Some prisoners are transferred to Grendon prison where the entire regime is that of a therapeutic community for such help.
The prison medical and probation services would he concerned in making arrangements for the continuing care, medical or other, of such inmates on release. The appropriate police force would be notified.