§ Mr. Moonmanasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will specify the procedure whereby prisoners are allowed out for part-day and weekend periods from Holloway Prison; and if he is satisfied that there are adequate controls on such visits;
(2) if he will specify the procedures whereby prisoners are allowed out for part-day and weekend periods at prison establishments other than Holloway.
§ Dr. SummerskillA governor is empowered to grant a prisoner's application for day release in prescribed circumstances: to visit a near relative who is dying or to attend the funeral of a near relative, or to be interviewed by a prospective employer or by the warden of a hostel where he may be accommodated on his release. In other circumstances reference must be made to the Home Office. Applications to the governor by prisoners eligible for short home leave at a weekend are considered in the way explained in my reply on 25th February to a Question by the hon. Member for Wallasey (Mrs. Chalker)—[Vol. 906, c.221.] Prisoners working for outside employers on the pre-release employment scheme may have weekend leave at intervals at the governor's discretion. There is no entitlement to temporary release or home leave; each case is considered individually on its merits. Prisoners who are allowed out are given a licence authorising their absence from prison and specifying the purpose and the conditions of their release.
The same procedures apply at Holloway as at other prisons and we have no reason to suppose that they are not working satisfactorily, but if my hon. Friend has a particular case in mind I 287W shall be grateful if he will write to me about it.