§ Mr. CorbynTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department by what criteria prisoners are allowed only segregated visits; how many prisoners are affected by this provision; and if it extends to legal and parliamentary visits. [32222]
§ Mr. Michael ForsythResponsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter from Derek Lewis to Mr. Jeremy Corbyn, dated 5 July 1995:
The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the criteria by which prisoners are only allowed segregated visits; the number of prisoners affected by this provision; and if it extends to legal and parliamentary visits.A policy of closed visits for all exceptional risk category A prisoners was introduced on 19 June. Our assessment was that this was a necessary security measure for visits to prisoners in the highest security category. There are currently thirteen such prisoners. The policy applies to all visits including legal and parliamentary visits. Visits under open conditions may be allowed in the most exceptional circumstances with the agreement of an operational director of the Prison Service.In addition, prison governors have discretion to impose closed visits for any prisoner in any other security category where control or security considerations make them necessary.