HL Deb 31 July 1997 vol 582 cc94-5WA
Lord Hylton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What consideration they are giving to using empty psychiatric hospital accommodation for the care and treatment of mentally ill offenders now in HM Prisons; and, if so, when they expect to reach decisions.

Lord Williams of Mostyn

The Prison Service is considering a number of redundant psychiatric hospitals as possible sites for new prisons, but does not propose to use any which it might acquire solely for the care and treatment of mentally ill prisoners. The Government's policy is that prisoners who need medical treatment for mental illness which can only satisfactorily be given in hospital should be transferred there as soon as that can be arranged.