HC Deb 27 March 1958 vol 585 cc567-8
10. Mr. Collins

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prison officers at Her Majesty's Prison, Parkhurst, are employed in inspecting the cells of men on the escape list prior to the transfer of such men to different cells.

Mr. R. A. Butler

When a prisoner on the escape list is transferred from his cell, two officers search it.

Mr. Collins

If, when inspected, the cells prove to be secure, why are the men transferred? Is it not then a case of transferring someone who is a bad security risk into the cell of another who is an equally bad risk? If that be so, is it not just as wasteful as digging holes and filling them up again, and could not some better means be found?

Mr. Butler

I should not so describe the administration of the Prison Commissioners. I should take a more lenient and generous view of their activities.

Mr. Collins

But will the Home Secretary look into the first point I raised about the unnecessary nature of the practice if the cells are secure?

11. Mr. Collins

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, at the latest convenient date, what was the number of prisoners and the number of prison staff at Her Majesty's Prison, Parkhurst, and Her Majesty's Prison, Wandsworth, respectively.

Mr. R. A. Butler

On 25th February, 1958, there were 510 prisoners at Parkhurst prison and the staff numbered 286. The figures for Wandsworth were 1,374 and 301, respectively.

Mr. Collins

Is the Home Secretary aware that that is more than one officer to two prisoners in Parkhurst and nearly one officer to eight prisoners in Wandsworth? Does it not seem that, if the numbers are only adequate in Parkhurst, Wandsworth is grossly understaffed? In order to relieve overcrowding and remedy this particular situation, will he consider transferring detainees at an earlier period in stage one from local prisons to Parkhurst and to other P.D. prisons?

Mr. Butler

There is a considerable difference between the régime in force at Wandsworth, which is a local prison, and that at Parkhurst, which is a central prison, because prisoners spend much more time out of their cells at Parkhurst, and, hence, more staff is necessary for supervision and so forth. I will pay attention to the latter part of what the hon. Gentleman says.