§ Mr. Corbettasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners convicted of criminal offences in England have been transferred to prisons in Northern Ireland in each of the past four years; after what period of sentence such prisoners become eligible for transfer; and what are the criteria against which applications for transfer are assessed.
§ Mr. Roy JenkinsThe number of prisoners convicted of criminal offences in England and Wales who were permanently transferred to Northern Ireland to serve their sentences in each of the past four years were—1971 two, 1972 two, both of whom were serving borstal training, 1973 two, including one who was serving borstal training, 1974 nil, 1975 nine, including one serving borstal training. No prisoners have been transferred to Northern Ireland in 1976.
The criteria for assessing such applications include the relevant statutory 224W requirements, the individual circumstances of the prisoner and the availability of accommodation.