§ 70. Mr. Liptonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why P. J. Kelly has been kept in continuous solitary confinement at Shrewsbury Prison since 21st April last, although the Prison Rules 1964 limit such punishment to a period 67W not exceeding 56 days; and how much longer he will be kept in solitary confinement.
§ Mr. BrookeThis man is serving a sentence of life imprisonment for murder. He was found guilty of an offence of gross personal violence against a prison officer, committed on 21st April. The visiting committee subsequently made an award of corporal punishment. I decided not to confirm this award, and accordingly the alternative award made by the visiting committee, which included 56 days' cellular confinement, became effective from 4th June. This punishment will be completed on 29th July. Between 21st April and 4th June the prisoner was kept apart from other prisoners under Rule 48(2) of the Prison Rules.