Written question asked by Helen Jackson (Labour) on Tuesday, 19 October 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 15 November 2004. It was answered by Paul Goggins (Labour) on Monday, 15 November 2004 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what arrangements are in place to monitor the mental health of prisoners held at Belmarsh Prison under anti-terrorism legislation; and on what dates he has received reports in the past two years. - (Holding answer 27 October 2004).

Answer: Helen Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what arrangements are in place to monitor the mental health of prisoners held at Belmarsh Prison under anti-terrorism legislation; and on what dates he has received reports in the past two years. [193178] Paul Goggins: [holding answer 27 October 2004]: All prisoners arriving at Belmarsh prison, for whatever reason, receive a mental health assessment. Should this assessment give rise to any cause for concern, the prisoner is referred to mental health services. At any time while at Belmarsh, a prisoner may be referred to mental health services. Any member of staff or the prisoner himself can make a referral. Mental health services were reviewed as part of the commission for health improvement programme in February 2003. The deputy director general recently commissioned the Department of Health to review the health care systems (including mental health) available to the detainees at Belmarsh prison. A team of independent health professionals undertook the review and concluded that the health care services available to the detainees were satisfactory and equitable to those available to other prisoners. Mental health services are provided at Belmarsh by Oxleas NHS trust. These services have been awarded Beacon status as recognition of excellence.

Secondary information