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Written question asked by Baroness Brown of Silvertown (Labour) on Monday, 18 October 2021, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 20 October 2021. It was answered by Victoria Atkins (Conservative) on Tuesday, 26 October 2021 on behalf of the Ministry of Justice.

HMP Wakefield: Psychiatry

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, with reference to Annual Report of the Independent Monitoring Board at HMP Wakefield, published on 13 October 2021, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of ensuring access to a forensic psychiatrist at HMP Wakefield.

Answer

Forensic Psychiatry is not directly linked to the provision of Mental Health or Clinical Services within the prisons commissioning model. Prisoners mental health is supported and treated by Clinical Psychiatry which is an NHS England commissioned service and is in place at HMP Wakefield. Clinical Psychiatry is the diagnosis and treatment of mental health conditions. In addition, Clinical Psychology (a commissioned service separate to, but aligned with the Psychiatry service) supports the treatment of a range of psychological conditions, including trauma conditions from a clinical perspective.

Forensic Psychiatry is concerned with the contribution of mental health diagnoses and conditions to criminal risk. It can advise more broadly on a prisoner’s progression to reduce their future risk of re-offending and their reports are sometimes of value to, for example, Parole Boards. Forensic Psychology is also focused upon similar parameters where by this profession delivers interventions that will actively seek to reduce the risk of re-offending. At HMP Wakefield this intervention is delivered by the Assessment and Interventions Psychology team, which is not a commissioned clinical service as the team are employed by HMPPS and as such would not be delivered by the Practice Plus Group, and removes the requirement for access to a Forensic Psychiatrist at HMP Wakefield.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
58350
Session
2021-22
Subjects
Psychiatry HMP Wakefield
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk