§ Rev. Ian Paisleyasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) if he will change the practice whereby remand prisoners should be locked up 22 hours per day and where even the use of toilet facilities can result in difficulties between prisoners and staff;
(2) whether he took account of the fact that the placing of prisoners from Loyalist para-military groups beside prisoners belonging to the IRA will cause riots similar to those which occurred last year at Hull Maximum Security Prison when taking such action;
(3) what consideration he has given to the difficulty of his policy of integration in prisons in Northern Ireland;
(4) what is the number of hours a remand prisoner from the Protestant community is given each day for recreation; and what are the usual facilities common to all prisoners.
§ Mr. ConcannonPrisoners remanded in custody, and charged with crimes committed after 1st March 1976, are located and treated strictly in accordance with normal prison procedures. No account is taken of the nature of their offences or paramilitary affiliations. Careful consideration was given to any difficulties which might arise, but my right hon. Friend and I are satisfied that the present policy is right.
The Prison Rules state that prisoners are entitled to one hour's exercise daily which, weather permitting, is taken in the open air. In practice remand prisoners are given the opportunity to have daily exercise and evening association which can amount to about six to seven hours per day. There are, however, prisoners who do not avail themselves of these facilities and remain in their cells by choice.
The prison authorities are not aware of any difficulties arising in the use of toilet facilities.