HC Deb 23 April 1928 vol 216 cc629-30
61. Mr. LANSBURY

asked the Home Secretary the number of prisoners detained at Parkhurst Prison who have made attempts to escape during the past four years; the punishment inflicted on each man after recapture; how many men have been punished for breach of prison rules arid regulations during the same period; the nature of such punishments; is it the practice to inflict corporal punishment for offences committed in this prison; and has he received any complaints from prisoners asking for inquiries into the administration of the prison in respect of punishment and discipline in general?

Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

I will have published in the OFFICIAL REPORT a statement giving the various particulars for which the hon. Member asks.

Mr. DAY

If anyone makes a complaint, does it come direct to the right hon. Gentleman?

Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

l am answering the hon. Member's question very fully, and I do not think that I ought, by way of supplementary questions, to anticipate the statement which I ant circulating.

Mr. DAY

That is the last part of the question, and no reply has been given.

Following is tire statement:

In the four years ended 31st March, 1928, 17 convicts made attempts to escape from Parkhurst Prison. The punishments awarded by the board of visitors were close confinement., with punishment diet, for periods varying from nine to 28 days, and loss of marks for stage privileges, and for remission, varying from 720 marks (which are equivalent to 120 days) to 1,440 marks (which are equivalent to 240 days). In the same period 558 convicts at Parkhurst were punished for various prison offences. The punishments were those prescribed by the statutory rules, namely, close confinement, punishment diet, loss of stage and remission mails, and, in six cases of gross violence to officers, corporal punishment. In this, as in any ether prison, corporal punishment can only be inflicted for gross personal violence to an officer and only if such punishment is ordered after an inquiry on oath by the board of visitors and the board's order is confirmed by myself. Prisoners at this prison, as at all prisons, are at liberty to petition the Secretary of State, and such petitions frequently contain complaints of various kinds. All such complaints are considered, and any necessary action is taken at the time.