Prison Estate

Part of Oral Answers to Questions — Northern Ireland – in the House of Commons at 11:30 am on 16 December 2009.

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Photo of Paul Goggins Paul Goggins Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office 11:30, 16 December 2009

The hon. Gentleman makes a very important point. The point of the question is to highlight how many vulnerable prisoners there are in Northern Ireland's prisons, and how many suffer from mental health problems and personality disorders. There are high numbers of such people in prison in Northern Ireland, but he will be encouraged, I am sure, by the fact that about 18 months ago the health service in Northern Ireland took over responsibility for the delivery of health care, including mental health care. I expect to see substantial improvements in the support and service that is provided to vulnerable prisoners as a result of that measure.