§ Mr. HealdTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many prisoners with serious mental illness(a) have left prison and (b) will leave prison in the current financial year without (i) a care plan and (ii) a care co-ordinator. [11531]
§ Jacqui Smith[holding answer 31 October 2001]: At present prisons do not keep records in a form that would readily provide the statistics requested. The NHS Plan, published in July 2000, gave a commitment that by 2004 no prisoner with serious mental illness will leave prison without a care plan and a designated care co-ordinator. Work is under way to develop mental health in-reach services in prisons in order to meet this and other NHS Plan commitments relating to mental health services for prisoners. A start is being made in 12 prisons in England in this financial year and it is expected that in-reach will be in operation in about 70 prisons with the greatest 829W mental health need by 2004. We are working with Her Majesty's Prison Service to ensure that information is collected to enable us to track progress with this initiative.
§ Mr. HealdTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of prisoners with severe mental illness are in receipt of treatment. [11530]
§ Jacqui Smith[holding answer 31 October 2001]: It is estimated that at any one time around 5,000 prisoners have severe mental illness and, depending on the capacity of the prison health care team, will receive some support and treatment. The NHS Plan, published in July 2000, gave a commitment that by 2004, 5,000 prisoners at any time will be receiving more comprehensive mental health services in prison. Work is under way to develop mental health in-reach services in prisons in order to meet this and other NHS Plan commitments relating to mental health services for prisoners. A start is being made in 12 prisons in England in this financial year and it is expected that in-reach will be in operation in around 70 or so prisons with the greatest mental health need by 2004.
In 1999, the latest year for which statistics have been published, 742 prisoners were transferred to hospital as restricted patients for treatment for mental disorder under sections 47 and 48 of the Mental Health Act 1983.