§ Mr. Alex CarlileTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the future of the therapeutic regime at Grendon Underwood prison.
§ Mr. John PattenI refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to a question from the hon. Member for St. Helens, South (Mr. Bermingham) on 26 October at column18.
§ Mr. Alex CarlileTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his Department's policy on the use of closed conditions for prison visits; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HurdGovernors are encouraged to allow open visits, at which the inmate and visitors sit together at a table without any barrier between them, wherever possible. Closed visits, at which the inmate and visitors are separated by a barrier, may, however, be imposed in certain circumstances, particularly where it is thought that this is justified in order to prevent the introduction of drugs or other illicit articles into the establishment and special arrangements are made with respect to certain category A prisoners.
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§ Ms. RichardsonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many women are currently serving sentences in H Wing, Her Majesty's Prison, Durham; how many are serving life sentences; and what are the sentences of the remainder.
§ Mr. John PattenAccording to the records held centrally 37 females were serving sentences in Durham prison on 31 October 1987. 24 were serving life sentences, including custody for life or detention during Her Majesty's Pleasure or for life under section 53, Children and Young Persons Act 1933. Three were serving determinate sentences of over 10 years and 10 were serving sentences of over four years up to 10 years.
§ Mr. SoamesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to reply to the third report of the Home Affairs Committee on the state and use of prisons. Session 1986–87 (HC35–1).
§ Mr. HurdI refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave earlier today to the right hon. and learned Member for Warley, West (Mr. Archer).