§ Mr. JOWETTasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his attention has been called to the case of a male prisoner who died in the convict prison at Parkhurst, and of whom it was stated at the inquest that he had suffered from an incurable disease which produced brittleness of the bones, so that in a fall he broke both arms and both legs; if he is aware that this prisoner is said to have been employed in the laundry and as a labourer on Camp Hill; and if he will say why the prisoner in question was allowed to die in prison while suffering from an incurable disease, seeing that a shipowner of Hull, who was sentenced for a criminal assault on a little girl in his house, was released after serving nine months because he was suffering from an incurable disease?
§ Mr. McKENNAIn the case of the prisoner at Parkhurst, the disease, though existing on reception into prison, did not affect his general health and strength, and permitted his employment as stated during the earlier part of his sentence. Later his complaint advanced, leading to the condition of brittleness of bones, and necessitating his removal to hospital. He had no friends to whom he could be sent. After his accident—which occurred whilst in574W hospital—his condition precluded all question of removal. The prisoner mentioned in the last paragraph of the question has since died.