§ Mr. DykesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the arrangements for the forthcoming confinement of Roisin McAliskey within the Holloway prison arrangements. [20982]
§ Miss WiddecombeResponsibility 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.
846WLetter from Hugh Taylor to Mr. Hugh Dykes, dated 20 March 1997:
The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question about the arrangements for Roisin McAliskey's confinement.Ms McAliskey will be taken to an outside hospital for the birth of her child. She will not be subject to any form of physical restraint (whether by handcuffs or escort chain) when she leaves Holloway prison in order to be admitted to hospital, nor whilst she is at the hospital. This includes the period when she is giving birth. She has asked for two birthing partners to be present, and this has been approved.Ms McAliskey will be allowed to keep her baby with her following the birth. Her application to be accepted into Holloway's mother and baby unit was approved on 13 March.