§ Dr. GodmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what proposals he has to create special prisons for mentally ill prisoners who do not warrant transfer to Carstairs hospital, which would be staffed by prison officers with the appropriate training skills and knowledge to deal with such inmates; and if he will make a statement. [16698]
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonThe subject of the question relates to matters undertaken by the Scottish Prison Service. I have asked its chief executive, Mr. E. W. Frizzell, to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter from E. W. Frizzell to Dr. Norman A. Godman, dated 30 March 1995:
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton has asked me to reply to your Question about the creation of special prisons for mentally ill prisoners who do not warrant transfer to Carstairs Hospital.We have no plans to create special prisons for those prisoners suffering from mental illness. Prison medical officers are responsible for the medical treatment as necessary of such prisoners and can draw on the services of psychiatrists and psychologists. Prisoners may also be transferred to appropriate hospitals if necessary. The Scottish Prison Service is, however, conscious of the special needs of mentally disturbed offenders and will be drawing up guidance for their management in the light of best practice in the community.