§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) in how many prisons in England and Northern Ireland Roisin McAliskey has been held on remand; and for how long in each prison; [8583]
(2) how many (a) doctors and (b) consultants have examined Roisin McAliskey and in which (i) prisons and (ii) hospitals the examinations took place; [8563]
(3) what medical facilities were available for pregnant women at each of the prisons where Roisin McAliskey was held. [8584]
§ Miss Widdecombe[holding answer 10 December 1996]: Responsibility for these matters has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked for a reply to be given.
Letter from Richard Tilt to Mr. Kevin McNamara, dated 13 December 1996:
The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Questions about Ms Roisin McAliskey.Ms McAliskey has been held in two prisons while on remand. She was committed initially to Holloway prison on 27 November and then transferred to Belmarsh prison on 30 November before being returned to Holloway prison.Ms McAliskey has been seen 11 times by doctors while in Holloway and Belmarsh. On 4 December Ms McAliskey complained of stomach pains. An appointment was made for her to see a consultant obstetrician at Greenwich District hospital. She had a scan and a full examination. The obstetrician confirmed that Ms McAliskey was in good general health, that her 16 week pregnancy was progressing normally and that there was no cause for concern. As a further precaution Ms McAliskey was returned to Holloway Prison where specialist ante-natal care is more readily available, should it become necessary. Since her return to Holloway she was been visited twice by the prison gynaecologist.Holloway prison has a dedicated wing with specialist expertise and interest in caring for pregnant women. Admission is en a voluntary basis. Belmarsh prison has full inmate care facilities, 408W but no facilities specifically for pregnant women. All prisons have the back up of the National Health Service, for both in-patient and out patient facilities. In addition, consultants are contracted by the Prison Service to carry out clinics in the prisons themselves.