HC Deb 25 June 1979 vol 969 cc62-3W
Miss Maynard

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what is the average population of inmates at Her Majesty's Prison, Hull, during the last 12 months; and by reference to the offences against discipline contained in the Prison Rules 1964, if he will indicate the number of offences charged under the various headings showing the type of offences for which the inmates have been convicted.

Mr. Brittan

Figures are collected on an annual basis and those for 1978 are not yet available. The 1977 figures are contained in table 9.2 of "Prison Statistics, England and Wales 1977"—Cmnd. 7286—a copy of which is in the Library of the House.

Miss Maynard

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners have appeared before the governor of Hull prison for disciplinary offences pursuant to the Prison Rules 1964; how many have been found guilty and how many acquitted; if he will give like information in relation to the board of visitors at the same prison; and, in relation to the sentences imposed either by the governor or the board of visitors, if he will state the length of time spent in solitary confinement by those the subject of an award under the prison rules in the following brackets: seven days or fewer, seven to 14 days, 14 to 28 days, 28 to 56 days, 56 days or more.

Mr. Brittan

I assume the hon. Member is referring to the adjudications which took place following the disturbance in C wing of Hull prison on 11 April 1979. 35 prisoners were charged with disciplinary offences, of whom 11 were dealt with by the governor. The remaining 24, after a preliminary hearing before the governor, appeared before the board of visitors. The governor dismissed all charges against three prisoners and the board of visitors dismissed all charges against a further three prisoners; the remainder were found guilty of one or more offences and awarded punishments which included loss of remission, forfeiture of privileges and exclusion from associated work. Two prisoners were awarded seven days non-associated work; three, 14 days; seven, 28 days; two, 42 days and 15, 56 days or more. No prisoner was awarded cellular confinement.