§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many people who are mentally ill within the meaning of the Mental Health Act 1959 are imprisoned at Strangeways prison;
(2) how many people who are registrable as being either physically or mentally handicapped for the purposes of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970 are prisoners at Strangeways prison.
§ Mr. HurdFigures are not available in the form requested. However, on 31 March 1983 the number of persons in Her Majesty's prison Manchester whom the medical officer considered to be mentally disordered within the meaning of the Mental Health Act 1959, was 15 of whom 13 were mentally ill. There are at present no persons in the prison whom the medical officer considers to be physically handicapped.
§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is satisfied with current health facilities and hospital provision available to prisoners at Strangeways prison; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mr. HurdWe accept that hospital facilities at Her Majesty's prison Manchester are not satisfactory. Work on the design of a new hospital is in hand and construction is due to begin in 1985. In the meantime, essential work to refurbish the existing building has now been completed.
§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent representations has Department or the governor have had about conditions for staff and prisoners at Strangeways prison; and if he will make a statement on current conditions at the prison.
§ Mr. HurdOfficials of the prison department met the governor of Manchester prison and staff representatives on 7 June 1983 to review progress in improving the conditions at the prison. We are satisfied that the action being taken, which will include a full manpower review to be undertaken during September 1983, will result in an improvement of conditions for both staff and inmates.