HC Deb 09 December 1965 vol 722 cc597-8
48. Mr. Walters

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is satisfied with the treatment of those serving sentences of 30 years in Durham Prison: and if he will make a statement.

52. Mr. Ian Gilmour

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to improve the living conditions under which the train robbers are detained at Her Majesty's Prison, Durham.

The Minister of State, Home Office (Miss Alice Bacon)

Special measures have had to be taken to ensure the continued safe custody of these prisoners, but they are being treated in as humane a manner as is consistent with the paramount consideration of security.

Mr. Walters

Bearing in mind that these prisoners are not in breach of any kind of prison discipline, is it not a fact that they are made to exercise in a yard which is far smaller than any other prison yard in this country, that there is a light burning all night in their cells by which it is possible to read, and that their health is in fact deteriorating? While bearing in mind the need for security precautions, may I ask how long these are going to last? Is it not wrong that people should be penalised for the fact that other prisoners who committed the same offence have escaped from different prisons?

Miss Bacon

I visited Durham Prison accompanied by my hon. Friend the Member for Durham (Mr. Grey) and I spoke to some of the train robbers. I think that the House will appreciate the very great difficulty of my right hon. and learned Friend in having to keep in safe custody prisoners undergoing such long prison sentences and with such a large amount of money outside. Some of the reports which come from Durham Prison about the conditions in which the prisoners are kept have been grossly exaggerated. They work for about 30 hours of the day in a common room— [Laughter.]—one of my hon. Friends prompts me that it might seem like that to them. I meant 30 hours a week, of course. They also watch television on Saturdays and Sundays. Although the exercise yard is small, it is one which was used for many years by women prisoners in Durham. Some of the reports are grossly exaggerated.

Mr. Gilmour

Is the hon. Lady aware that her bland reassurance will come as a surprise to those who know the conditions in Durham? Is it not the job of the hon. Lady's Department, if these very long sentences are to be imposed, to ensure that they are served under remotely tolerable conditions?

Miss Bacon

That is our aim. That is why we are building a prison at Albany in the Isle of Wight where long-term prisoners can be treated in a much better way than the long-term prisoners are able to be treated at present.

Several Hon. Members rose

—

Mr. Speaker

Order. I must protect the Time-table. Questions to the Prime Minister.