§ 103. Mr. H. Fraserasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners have recently escaped from Stafford gaol whilst on working parties outside the prison; whether all these have now been recaptured; and whether he is satisfied that adequate arrangements have now been made to prevent the recurrence of such escapes.
73W
§ Sir D. Maxwell FyfeDuring the last two months an average of 175 prisoners from Stafford prison have been employed on potato harvesting on neighbouring fauns, and seven men have recently escaped from these outside parties. All have now been recaptured. Such incidents can be avoided only by very careful selection of the men, and the governor of the prison is fully alive to this.
§ Sir L. Ropnerasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners have escaped from open prisons during the last 12 months.
§ Sir D. Maxwell FyfeDuring the year ended 31st October, 1953, 20 prisoners have absconded from 13 open prisons and satellite camps.