HC Deb 19 October 1950 vol 478 cc2221-2
43. Surgeon Lieut.-Commander Bennett

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what were the number of escapes from Camp Hill Borstal Institution, near Yarmouth, Isle of Wight, during the year, month and week preceding 16th October, 1950; what circumstances can be blamed for the frequency of these escapes; and what is to be his future policy about this institution.

Mr. Ede

The figures asked for in the first part of the Question are, respectively, 43 incidents involving 76 persons, seven incidents involving 15 persons, and four incidents involving 11 persons. Absconding from Borstal is a general problem, which causes much concern to the Prison Commissioners. It is not possible, within the compass of a Parliamentary answer, to set out fully what are believed to be the causes, but among the contributing factors are the increased restlessness and instability of the type of lad received during the last few years and unavoidably frequent changes of Borstal staffs, and their relative inexperience. The reply to the last part of the Question is that the institution at Camp Hill is to be taken over, by stages, for the accommodation of prisoners sentenced to corrective training, and during the course of next year will cease to be used for Borstal training.

Surgeon Lieut.-Commander Bennett

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the Camp Hill Institution has hitherto been in the nature of a prison without bars?

Mr. Ede

It is a place with some limited security.

Mr. Leslie Hale

Does my right hon. Friend's answer mean a diminution in Borstal accommodation or that suitable accommodation will be found elsewhere?

Mr. Ede

I do not think it means any reduction in Borstal accommodation in proportion to the number of persons likely to be committed.

Sir Peter Macdonald

Can the right hon. Gentleman say to what use Camp Hill will be put in the future? Is he aware that the large number of escapes from Camp Hill and Parkhurst causes great alarm in the neighbourhood and will he take steps to see that something is done about it?

Mr. Ede

As I said in my answer, it will be used as a prison for corrective training, when greater security measures will be taken. I want to express my regret to the inhabitants of the Isle of Wight that so many escapes should have taken place from these two institutions. I am taking every possible precaution to see that they do not occur.