§ Mr. HAYESasked the Home Secretary whether prisoners in Parkhurst prison are now confined to their cells for some 15 hours without being allowed to leave them under any circumstances; what is the nature of the sanitary accommodation provided in the cells; and whether any such rule is in force in other prisons?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSThe majority of convicts at Parkhurst are locked in their cells at 5 p.m., and unlocked at 7 a.m.; a certain number of well-behaved long sentence convicts are not locked up till 7 p.m. A chamber utensil is provided in each cell and facilities are given for any man who wishes to empty his utensil about 7.30 p.m. Any prisoner can also by ringing his bell summon the officer on duty, should that be necessary, at any time. These arrangements have been in force for some years and are similar to those at all other prisons.