§ Mr. SheermanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he is taking to increase staffing levels at Wormwood Scrubs unit for sex offenders, and to improve training for staff.
§ Mr. Waddington[holding answer 27 October 1989]: Wormwood Scrubs therapeutic unit for addicts and sex offenders is carrying vacancies at senior and principal hospital officer level; action is being taken in connection with current promotion boards to fill them. In-house training is provided by the establishment's medical staff, who are considering what further steps can be taken, and by visiting consultants; a senior hospital officer was released last month for a one year course in group psychotherapy and the possibility of further external training will be reviewed as vacancies are filled.