§ 28 and 29. Commander Purseyasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what has been the number of escapes from Hull Prison during the last 12 months; and what were the numbers due to faulty buildings, administration and shortage of staff, respectively;
(2) what steps are being taken to improve the security of the buildings, to improve the administration and to increase the number of staff at Hull Prison, in order to reduce the escapes of dangerous prisoners into a densely populated area.
§ Mr. Fletcher-CookeThere were two incidents in this period, one on 23rd April and the other on 29th October, involving a total of eleven prisoners. The first was due primarily to an error of judgment on the part of a prison officer. The second incident is at present under investigation by the Prison Commissioners. Everything possible will be done to prevent future escapes.
§ Commander PurseyIs the Minister aware of the serious concern among my constituents about these escapes and the fact that the last three who have escaped have been free for 10 days, as I understand it? No doubt the Minister can confirm or deny that. If the security of this old prison cannot be improved, why not abolish it and build another one? Is it not high time that steps were taken thoroughly to investigate the question of the security of the present administration and whether there is a need for an increase in the number of prison officers in this prison to cope with long-service prisoners of dangerous character?
§ Mr. WoodhouseThe rate of recovery of prisoners who have escaped is usually extremely good. I cannot tell the hon. and gallant Member the details of the number he mentioned. As a matter of fact, with regard to closed prisons generally, the rate of escape this year is far better, that is to say, far less than last year.