§ 48. Mr. Dribergasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department for how long Prisoner No. 1, Dartmoor, has been in solitary confinement; and to what extent it is anticipated that this map's conduct will improve as a result of this punishment.
§ Mr. VosperThirteen and a half months This lengthy segregation is not a punishment but a necessary means of protecting members of the prison staff and other prisoners from physical injury by this prisoner. My right hon. Friend hopes shortly to arrange for him to be transferred to another prison where he can be allowed some association under special supervision. [Interruption.]
§ Mr. SpeakerI could hear neither Question nor Answer. May we have more silence?
§ Mr. CallaghanIs it not rather against the conventions of the House that when an hon. Member has put down a Question on a most important subject, he should retreat from the Chamber in order to avoid calling it?
§ Mr. SpeakerThat is not a question for me. May we start the Answer to Question No. 48 again, please?
§ Mr. VosperThirteen and a half months. This lengthy segregation is not a punishment but a necessary means of protecting members of the prison staff and other prisoners from physical injury by this prisoner. My right hon. Friend hopes shortly to arrange for him to be transferred to another prison where he can be allowed some association under special supervision.
§ Mr. DribergI am sure the right hon. Gentleman appreciates that although technically it is not a punishment, it may seem a punishment to the man concerned. While I appreciate the reason for it, may I ask whether there is any prospect or hope that this prisoner will be able to be moved fairly shortly to another place where he can associate with other prisoners?
§ Mr. VosperI intimated some months ago in the House that special provision would be made for prisoners of this type where solitary confinement would not predominate so much in the regime. This prisoner will be one of the first to be moved.
§ Mr. Gordon WalkerIs it not disturbing and startling that in our prisons today a man can be kept for over a year in solitary confinement, no matter what the circumstances? This is startling new information and I should like to know whether the right hon. Gentleman does not consider that we should make different arrangements. Is it not appalling that people who are criminal but not lunatic should be kept for over a year in solitary confinement?
§ Mr. VosperI have said that we are making different arrangements. I think that if the right hon. Gentleman saw the record of this prisoner's fights against fellow prisoners as well as staff, he would appreciate the reason for this action.