§ 21. Mr. A. Robertsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department to institute inquiries concerning the escape of the prisoner Sanders from Wakefield Prison.
§ Sir D. Maxwell FyfeI would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Southend, East (Mr. McAdden) on 19th December. On further consideration of the reports on this escape, I find no occasion to attach blame to the administration of the prison. The decision to place this prisoner in a position of trust which he was able to abuse in this way may be open to question in the light of subsequent events, but it was taken after full consideration by officers 2286 of experience and judgment. Every effort will be made to avoid similar occurrences in the future.
§ Mr. RobertsWill the right hon. and learned Gentleman examine the method of selecting prisoners to be sent to the rehabilitation prison at Wakefield? Is he aware of the great public apprehension caused by fallacious Press reports at the time this prisoner escaped?
§ Sir D. Maxwell FyfeI appreciate that, but I should like to point out that during the period of over six years which this prisoner had served of his present sentence his behaviour had been good, and that for over a year he had been employed in positions of trust. I take full responsibility, of course, for what the prison officials have done, but I think it is only fair to point out the difficulty they were in.