Strangeways Prison (Hospital Accommodation)

HC Deb 19 April 1956 vol 551 cc1167-8

38. Mr. Allaun

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that in the 88 years old Strange-ways Gaol, Manchester, prisoners confined to bed for long periods with tuberculosis are having to be kept in the ordinary prison cells, and that in the hospital of this gaol, holding 1,100 prisoners, there are only four one-bed rooms for men who must be isolated because of mental or physical sickness; and what steps he proposes to take to provide adequate hospital accommodation in this prison.

Mr. Deedes

The hospital at this prison is admittedly inadequate, but the only solution is to build a new one. This will involve substantial reconstruction of other parts of the prison, and will be undertaken when funds can be made available.

The present accommodation in the hospital proper comprises three wards with 32 beds and four single rooms. In addition there is an extension of the hospital on one of the prison landings of 12 rooms. These are not ordinary cells but properly equipped hospital rooms with large windows.

At present there are five cases of tuberculosis in the rooms on the prison landing. These cases are under the treatment of a tuberculosis specialist from outside, and are under the immediate supervision of the medical officers and hospital staff of the prison.

Mr. Allaun

Would the Minister agree that whatever a man's prison sentence, his health should not be damaged by it? Will the hon. Gentleman therefore ensure that sufficient hospital beds are made available at Strangeways for T.B. patients and others with serious illness, particularly since, as I saw last week, it is extremely difficult for prison officers to carry sick prisoners into the four single bedrooms, two of them padded cells, because of the narrowness of these archaic corridors?

Mr. Deedes

The hon. Member may be aware that the difficulty is a structural one. The grounds of Manchester Prison are completely built up, and to build a new hospital it will be necessary to remove a branch of the prison to a site adjacent to the prison, which is now available.