HC Deb 23 November 1937 vol 329 cc1012-4
16. Mr. McGovern

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that Francis Healy, who was a prisoner at Barlinnie Prison, Glasgow, was recently assaulted by six warders in his cell and rendered unconscious, was dragged to a padded cell, stripped naked, and again set upon by these warders, and left in a dangerous condition; that he was later in the same day certified by the doctor at Barlinnie as insane and removed to Gartloch asylum; that this man is quite sane, and that the hon. Member for Shettleston interviewed this man at Gartloch asylum and examined his body, which was bruised from head to foot; will he order an inquiry into this assault; is he further aware that the prisoner who first conveyed information to Francis Healy's parents, and the hon. Member for Shettleston, is again a prisoner at Barlinnie, and has been threatened by these warders because he conveyed the information; and what steps he intends to take to protect this prisoner?

Mr. Elliot

I am informed that an 10th September this prisoner, who had for some days been in a depressed mood, suddenly became violent in his cell where he broke 21 panes of glass and smashed furniture. Four warders entered the cell and found him in an aggressive condition, armed with a heavy piece of crockery and a piece of wood. A warder attempted to reason with him, but Healy threw the crockery at him, causing severe bruising and cutting of the bridge of the nose, and in defence the warder struck him twice on the head with a baton. Healy, who was struggling and fighting violently, was then taken to a padded cell where he could not injure himself or destroy prison furniture, and his clothing was removed and searched in case he had in his possession broken glass or other articles dangerous to himself or to other persons. He was not rendered unconscious or left in a dan- gerous condition at any stage of the occurrence. On the same day he was certified insane by the prison assistant medical officer and another doctor and was removed under sheriff's warrant to Gartloch asylum where he is still. I do not consider that the circumstances of this particular case necessitate further inquiry. I am arranging that in any further case of outbreak of violence by a prisoner whose sanity is in any way in doubt the prisoner will be visited in the first instance by the prison medical officer, or if he is not available, by the Governor. As regards the last part of the question, I am informed that there has been no threat of the kind referred to.

Mr. McGovern

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that Dr. Dryden, medical officer in the asylum, states in his report that this man has shown no signs of insanity in the institution, and that in his report he states that the man suffered from two fresh gashes on his scalp, with stitches, bruising on both shoulders, on right considerable swelling; bruising very extensive, badly discoloured, bruising on right thigh and leg, deeply discoloured and swollen, also left hand swollen and discoloured? Is the right hon. Gentleman further aware that there is evidence from prisoners that these warders set upon him and violently assaulted him? Is he prepared to set up an impartial inquiry, when I will place the full evidence before him in connection with this matter, and also the statement of the medical officer that the man is not insane?

Mr. Elliot

I have looked carefully into the papers in this case. Firstly, the man has been certified insane by two doctors. That stands. Secondly, the description of his injuries on the occasion in question are quite consistent with the account which I have given of the struggle in the cells. I do not think that there is any case here for further inquiry.

Mr. Maxton

Does the right hon. Gentleman know that the hon. Member for Shettleston (Mr. McGovern) has seen this man stripped, in the presence of the medical officer, and that he is one mass of bruises from top to toe, and in a condition that ought not to have been necessary to keep one man under control, a condition which would not be permitted in any asylum? Will the right hon. Gentleman investigate in regard to these things?

Mr. Elliot

I agree that the patient was bruised in a way which would not have arisen in any asylum, because this struggle would not have originated. I can easily conceive that in a struggle of a violent nature with four warders in the cells much bruising might occur, but I do not want to compare it with conditions in an asylum, where the man is a patient to begin with. I have carefully gone into the papers. I know that the hon. Member for Shettleston (Mr. McGovern) has had an interview with the patient in the presence of the medical officer, but I do not see how we can get past the fact that the man is at present certified as insane.

Mr. McGovern

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that two doctors in the institution say that the man could not have come by these very serious injuries, from his head right down to the ankle, through any action of his own, that he was very badly beaten, and that there is complete evidence that the man is not insane? Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that that calls for an inquiry?

Lieut.-Colonel Sir Thomas Moore

Was not the bruising sustained by the patient in proportion to the violence he offered?

Mr. McGovern

Never you mind. Sit down.

Commander Marsden

Is there any evidence as to the condition of the warder?

Mr. Elliot

Yes. The account that I have given to the House states that the man was struck twice on the head by a baton. That would be compatible with his having two scalp wounds. The warder. was seriously injured and blood was pouring from his wounds. [Interruption.] Is the hon. Member for Shettleston (Mr. McGovern) asking me for information or not? I am answering a supplementary question as to the condition of a warder. The warder was seriously injured. I am perfectly willing to take any opinion that the hon. Member may give, but there is no evidence that can be set against the fact that the man has been certified as insane.

Mr. McGovern

Owing to the completely unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter at the earliest possible moment.