HC Deb 28 October 1937 vol 328 cc255-6
Mr. Groves

(by Private Notice) asked the Home Secretary whether, following representations by the hon. Member for Stratford respecting serious complaint as to the treatment of prisoners at His Majesty's Prison, Wandsworth, he has made inquiries; and whether, in view of the anxiety of the relatives, he would inform this House of the result and any recommendations he has to make?

Sir S. Hoare

The hon. Member was good enough to bring to my notice on 27th September certain allegations which had reached him as to the ill-treatment, after their recapture, of two prisoners who escaped from Wandsworth Prison earlier in the month. In consequence of this information, and of confirmatory evidence which came into the possession of the governor of the prison on the following day, a full inquiry was made by the Prison Commissioners, and I regret to say that the result is to leave no doubt that the two prisoners were, without any sort of provocation, assaulted by prison officers in their cells and received certain injuries, fortunately not of a serious character. Four officers were concerned. One of these, a temporary officer, has already resigned his appointment, and the Prison Commissioners have recommended that the remaining three should be dismissed from the prison service. I have accepted this recommendation.

I am much obliged to the hon. Member for the part which he has played in this matter, and I hope that he and the House will feel assured that the Prison Commissioners and I are determined that there shall be no possibility of so regrettable an incident being repeated. The Prison Commissioners have made careful inquiries, as a result of which I am glad to be able to state that there is no reason to think that there has been any other case of the kind in recent years.

Mr. Groves

I think everyone will support me when I begin by thanking the right hon. Gentleman, but I should like to ask him, further, whether he will assure us that these men will now receive hospital treatment instead of cell treatment?

Sir S. Hoare

I will certainly look into the hon. Member's suggestion.

Mr. David Adams

Is it the intention to prosecute these officers?

Sir S. Hoare

I think, on the whole, that dismissal is a much more serious punishment than prosecution.