§ Commander Purseyasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the number of prisoners and staff in Hull prison; what plans he has for the future accommodation of each, and for improvements to the prison; and whether he will make a statement on its future use.
§ Miss PikeOn 23rd July there were 346 prisoners and 107 staff of all grades. The general prison building programme is designed to relieve overcrowding. Measures in progress, or in early prospect, at Hull include the provision of a new workshop and improvements to the heating plant, kitchen, bath-house, and lavatories. Further measures, including the provision of staff quarters, will be considered for1964–65. My right hon. Friend has at present no intention of altering the use of this establishment as a prison for adult males.
§ Commander Purseyasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners escaped from Hull prison in 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, and 1963, respectively, and what is the total number; how many were recaptured; for how many days each was free; how many were not recaptured; and what steps have been, or are being, taken to strengthen the security of this prison.
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§ Miss PikeHull was a borstal throughout 1959 and 1960 and until July, 1961. In 1959 six borstal boys absconded, of whom two were recaptured the day they absconded, one the next day, two after three days and the sixth after three months. In 1960 two absconded and were returned within three days. In 1961 one boy absconded from the borstal and was recaptured after four days; no prisoner escaped. In 1961 eleven prisoners escaped in two incidents. Eight were recaptured the same day, one was recaptured four months later and two are still unaccounted for. There have been no escapes so far in 1963. The total number of persons escaping in the period was thus nine borstal boys and eleven adult prisoners. Security instructions were tightened up and mechanical aids to security strengthened following a full enquiry into the 1962 escapes.