§ Mr. CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what provision is made for prisoners held on remand to complain as to the conditions under which they are kept; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggRemand prisoners in prison custody may make complaints about conditions in the following ways:
- by speaking to supervising prison staff;
- by applying to see the governor, chaplain, medical officer, education officer or welfare officer;
- by applying to see the board of visitors or a visiting member of the board;
- by applying to see a visiting officer of the Secretary of State;
- by petition to the Secretary of State, to Parliament or to Her Majesty The Queen;
- by writing to a Member of Parliament;
- by writing to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration, directly or through a Member of Parliament;
- by petition to the European Commission of Human Rights.
Remand prisoners held in police custody may raise any complaints about conditions with the supervising police officers or by writing to the chief officer of the force concerned. It has also been decided that prisoners held in police custody should have access to an independent body concerned with the supervision of their custodial conditions and treatment. Lay visitors have been asked to take on this task as we are discussing with the Metropolitan police what guidance needs to be given to assist them in carrying out these duties.