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friends among the other patients. We were informed that no patient who might be dangerous in the event of escape would ever be granted parole statusPaThe stitufion ogether with its garde Bagerkshopfalmistrative buildings, large kitchen garden and playing fields, covering an area of 38 acres, is enclosed in a high security wall. On the estate outside the security wall there is a farm of 164 acres to which the most reliable patients mbe taken under escort in working parties of not more than eight. Patient lay be rewarded for work and good behaviour by way of a credit which may be drawn on for purchases in a well-stocked canteen. No patient is allowed to have cash in his possession. There are, of course, many social activities in the Institution which have been devised both for the relaxation and mental treatment of patients and which it is not necessary for us to describe further.
Escapes
13. Not even a prison can guarantee that no prisoner can ever escape. In this connection we set out in Appendix II extracts from the Reports of the Commissioners of Prisons for 1947 and 1950 regarding the increased number of escapes from prisons in post-war years. Before the war Broad- moor had a very good record in this respect. In the 9 years 1932-1940 there were no escapes. In the next 9 years, 1941-1949, there were 6 escapes. Since 1st January, 1950, there have been 6 escapes, 3 during 1950, 2 during 1951, and the one on the 29th April, 1952, which led to our appointment. Two patients escaped together in 1950, the same happened in 1951, so that in 1950 there were two incidents and in 1951 there was one incident only. We have enquired closely into the circumstances of all these escapes but it is unnecessary for us to refer to them in detail, especially as we understand the circumstances of the last escape are or may be the subject of other proceedings. We think it right, however, to point out that in two cases escapes were made possible by the use of a key made by a patient.
14. At this point we mention that by Section 12 of the Criminal Lunatic Asylums Act, 1860, Parliament not only provided for any officer or servant in the Institution, who by wilful neglect or connivance permitted any patient to escape, being convicted and punished as for a felony, but made it a summary offence if an officer or servant allowed a patient to escape through carelessness.
FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING
ADMINISTRATION
Purpose of the Institution
15. The two main functions of the Institution are detention and treat- ment. At one time detention was regarded as the primary function and treatment as a minor function, but during the 14 years of management by the present Medical Superintendent, Dr. Hopwood, more and better treat- ment has been made available for patients. This change of attitude towards the needs of the mentally afflicted, instituted by Dr. Hopwood, has not resulted in any relaxation of the security rules, and no change has been made in this respect since the responsibility for the Institution passed to the Board of Control in 1949.
Security Aspect of the Institution
16. Secure detention depends on a number of factors, the most important being the security of the premises and adequate supervision. The security of the premises depends not only on seeing that every part of the