§ Mr. Rostasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether Mr. Anthony John Seaward was segregated under Rule 43; and, if so, what arrangements were made for him to take part in work and leisure activities while in prison.
§ Mr. Rostasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what opportunity was given to Mr. Anthony John Seaward to say whether he was willing to be transferred to Sudbury open prison before this transfer was refused; and why it was refused.
§ Mr. CarlisleMr. Seaward asked to be transferred to more open conditions, but it was decided that such a transfer would not be appropriate. The reasons included access to specialist medical136W advice, his previous record and the hazards that building operations at Sudbury would have presented for a man with his disability.
§ Mr. Rostasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why Mr. Anthony John Seaward was not transferred to an outside hospital, as is possible under prison regulations.
§ Mr. CarlisleMr. Seaward was transferred to St. James's Hospital, Balham, for treatment on 7th July 1972 and returned to prison on 11th July.
§ Mr. Rostasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what date Mr. Anthony John Seaward was assaulted by fellow prisoners while on remand at Brixton prison; on what date his parents were informed; on what date police investigations commenced; what was the outcome of the police investigation; what action was taken against the assailants; and what compensation has been provided for the victim.
§ Mr. CarlisleMr. Sea ward's first formal statement that he had been assaulted was made on 6th June 1972. The date on which he said the assault took place was 30th April. He was in correspondence with and being visited by his family during this period, but we have no record of the date on which he informed them of the alleged assault. Police investigations began on 23rd June 1972 and a report was made to the Director of Public Prosecutions, who advised that no charges should be preferred. Mr. Seaward is now taking legal action against the Department.
§ Mr. Rostasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is satisfied that Mr. Anthony John Seaward was given adequate medical supervision and treatment during his transportation in a prison van while suffering from serious eye disorders from Brixton prison to Lincoln prison, and then to Wandsworth prison.
§ Mr. CarlisleMr. Seaward did not complain of trouble with his eyes until after his arrival at Leicester prison from Brixton, which took place on 3rd May 1972. On his subsequent journeys to Wandsworth prison on 24th May and 137W 4th July he was accompanied by a hospital officer.
§ Mr. Rostasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what period of time elapsed between the blinding of Mr. Anthony John Seaward and the commencement of instruction in braille; why he was deprived of braille material while at Lincoln; and why no adequate training or rehabilitation training was provided.
§ Mr. CarlisleMr. Seaward returned to Wandsworth prison from hospital on 11th July 1972, after his left eye had been removed. He was first visited by a teacher in braille on 18th July and his instruction began on 25th July. Mr. Seaward has been provided with braille material whilst at Lincoln prison although the prison authorities were unfortunately unable to obtain this for the first three months of his stay there. We are satisfied that, within the restrictions which imprisonment must inevitably impose, prison staff have done all that they could to help Mr. Seaward.
§ Mr. Rostasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will now order an official public inquiry into the case of Mr. Anthony John Seaward, who was assaulted in prison by other prisoners, blinded, and subsequently retained in prison.
§ Mr. CarlisleNo.
§ Mr. Rostasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has studied the report of the medical officer of Lincoln prison, which recommended
Gross personal violence to inmates Attempted gross personal violence to inmates Assault on inmates Attempted assault on inmates Total Males 1970 … … 29 4 360 18 411 1971 … … 18 3 386 19 426 1972* … … 18 1 427 12 458 Females 1970 … … — — 8 — 8 1971 … … — — 9 — 9 1972* … … — — 14 1 15 Equivalent figures for earlier years are not available. * Provisional figures.