HC Deb 01 December 1983 vol 49 cc979-80
11. Mr. Favell

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners who escaped from custody in each of the past five years have subsequently been convicted (a) for homicide and (b) for other offences of violence committed whilst at large.

Mr. Hurd

Of those adult prisoners who escaped from closed prisons in 1981 and 1982, two were convicted of offences of manslaughter committed while they were unlawfully at large. Further information is not readily available.

Mr. Favell

Is the Minister satisfied with present arrangements in the light of recent offences committed by prisoners while in transit? Is he aware of recent reports that five murderers have escaped in as many weeks from one open prison?

Mr. Hurd

I cannot comment on the hon. Gentleman's last point, other than to say that I do not think he is right. We cannot be satisfied while there are a substantial number of escapes, especially of prisoners under escort. In July this year the deputy director-general of the prison service issued some practical general guidance on the subject to all governors in an attempt to improve the position.

Mr. Kilroy-Silk

Does not research from the Minister's Department show that long-term prisoners released on licence are less likely to commit further offences? Will not the Home Secretary's decision to restrict parole for certain offenders lead to the likelihood of further offences being committed by those prisoners? Will not that decision also encourage the "escape mentality"?

Mr. Hurd

That question has nothing to do with the question on the Order Paper, which deals with escapes from custody.