Mental Health Services

Debate between Lord McFall of Alcluith and Lord Ramsbotham

Tuesday 19th May 2020 Lords Chamber

[Lord Ramsbotham (CB)]

My Lords—

[The Senior Deputy Speaker (Lord McFall of Alcluith)]

I am sorry, but I think we have lost the connection. I will call the noble Baroness, Baroness Verma, and then come back to the noble Lord.

--- Later in debate ---

[The Senior Deputy Speaker]

I return to the noble Lord, Lord Ramsbotham.

[Lord Ramsbotham]

My Lords, does what the Minister has said apply to prisons and probation?

[Lord Bethell]

I pay tribute to the Prison Service, which in extremely difficult circumstances has managed to provide pastoral care and clinical segregation in our prisons in a way that has completely outperformed expectations. The effect in prisons has been profound and the mental health of prisoners is concerning. The degree of lockdown in prison cells is an awful aspect of this disease, and undoubtedly we will have to work very hard to manage and deal with the mental pressures on prisoners, which are extremely unfortunate.