HC Deb 07 March 1957 vol 566 c526
28. Sir L. Plummer

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the proportion of prisoners to superior staff, excluding doctors and specialists, in local prisons.

Mr. Simon

The proportion of prisoners to governors and assistant governors is 219 to 1 in men's local prisons and 78 to 1 in women's local prisons.

Sir L. Plummer

Is the hon. and learned Gentleman aware that in Sweden, which has a reputation for an intelligent approach towards prison matters, the ratio is 30 to 1? Now that we have a Home Secretary who gives the first sign since 1951 of being humane about this subject, will the hon. and learned Gentleman put pressure on his right hon. Friend to work with that sort of idea in mind?

Mr. Simon

My right hon. Friend needs no pressure from me.