§ Mr. Irvingasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the extent of usage by prison authorities of mechanical restraints; and what increase there has been in such usage over the past five years.
§ Mr. HurdAn account of the use of these restraints is published annually in "Prison Statistics". However, as is noted on page 145 of "Prison Statistics, 1982", the figures for the previous five years are unreliable.
§ Mr. Irvingasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received, and from whom, about the extent and nature of the usage of body belts as instruments of restraint in Her Majesty 's prisons; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HurdThis year we have received letters from eight right hon. and hon. Members about the use of mechanical restraints, including body belts, in prison establishments, as well as letters from the Association of Members of Boards of Visitors and from two members of the public. We have also received a copy of a report by the Prison Reform Trust on the use of restraints in prison establishments which included comments on the use of the body belt, and which was the subject of two of the letters I have referred to. My right hon. and learned Friend is reviewing the matter.