§ 13. Mr. MASTERMANasked the Home Secretary how many young women in prison in England and Wales during the the past five years, in default of payment of fines, have been liberated on payment of these fines at the prison without any notice having been given?
Mr. HENDERSONThis information cannot be given, but the Prison Commissioners have obtained figures covering the two periods of six months ended 12th January, 1923, and 1924, respectively, and showing the number of cases in which women prisoners were liberated on payment of their fines. There were 258 in the former period, and 294 in the latter. I have no information as to the ages of these women. No notice is required before payment of a prisoner's fine.
§ 14 and 15. Mr. MASTERMANasked the Home Secretary (1) whether he has any reason to believe that persons of undesirable character, including men of alien origin, have been known to come to a prison and pay the fine of a female prisoner, thereby securing her release and, as a result, obtaining possession of her; whether any Reports on this subject have been received by him from governors, chaplains, or visitors of prisons; and, if not, could he obtain such a Report and present it to the House;
(2) whether a recent change in administration has been made giving young women the choice of remaining in prison for a night, thereby placing on them the onus of refusing immediate release; and, if so, whether he is prepared to inquire into the working of this order and to take any steps needed to prevent any evils arising from this system?
Mr. HENDERSONI will answer these two questions together. Some information on this subject was collected by the Commissioners of Prisons, which, though 1481 not sufficiently definite for publication, suggested that it would be well to take precautions. Where payment of a fine is tendered and the prisoner desires release, there is no power to refuse it. In cases, however, where the payment is tendered at night by some person, who may be an undesirable character, the suggestion is made to the prisoner that, if she desires to avoid such person, she will be allowed, at her own request, to sleep in the prison for the night, and go out the next morning. The practice, which is not new, appears to me to be reasonable and in the prisoner's interest and not one from which evils are likely to arise.
§ Mr. MASTERMANIs it because of legislation or regulation that no alteration can be made in this arrangement? Although it is very undesirable that outside people should investigate this subject, and no charge is brought against the Home Secretary's own officials in this matter, would the right hon. Gentleman be kind enough to make inquiries among his own people?
Viscountess ASTORAlthough the present practice seems to be reasonable, does the right hon. Gentleman not think that the results are really disastrous to hundreds of girls in the country, and could not something be done?
Mr. HENDERSONNo, I do not think that the results are disastrous. We have given an opportunity to the women to remain if they so desire. If the fine is paid we cannot prevent them from being released.
§ Mr. MASTERMANWhy not?
Mr. HENDERSONAs long as the fine is paid we cannot prevent their release. What we cannot do by compulsion, we try to do by a voluntary arrangement which works in the interests of the person concerned.
§ Mr. W. THORNEIs my right hon. Friend aware that in West Ham we often "bind them over" for a certain period, which we find does them more good?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANIs it the fact that if persons who are not known, to be related to a prisoner come and pay the fine, a note is taken of them, and investigations are made?
Mr. HENDERSONYes; we exercise what care we can to prevent these poor and unfortunate prisoners getting into the hands of undesirable people, and if any hon. Member can suggest what we can do within our power to strengthen the present arrangement we shall be prepared to do it.
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANIs it still the practice—it was so last year—that if a person comes to pay the fine of a woman prisoner without apparently being connected with her directly, that person's name is taken and investigation is made?