§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, following the reduction of staffing levels at Parkhurst prison, he is satisfied that there are always sufficient staff to operate all required services.
§ Mr. MellorStaffing levels at Parkhurst have been reduced slightly in recent years following the closure of two of the four wings after damage by prisoners. Under these circumstances the current staff are sufficient to provide the necessary services.
§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what expenditure has been incurred so far on the electrical refurbishing at Parkhurst prison; and to what extent this work will be affected by further refurbishing work being delayed.
§ Mr. MellorApproximately £380,000 has so far been spent on electrical refurbishing at Parkhurst prison. The work is almost complete and is unlikely to be affected by any delay in other work.
§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners at Parkhurst prison are mentally disordered.
§ Mr. MellorOn 18 January 1983 there were seven prisoners in Parkhurst whom the medical officer considered to be mentally disordered within the meaning of the Mental Health Act 1959.
§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what facilities are available at Parkhurst prison for the proper association, education and exercise of those prisoners on rule 43 for protective reasons.
§ Mr. MellorThe staff at Her Majesty's Prison Parkhurst makes every effort to ensure that these prisoners enjoy the same facilities as other prisoners. As regards association, the prisoners concerned associate at work and on Saturday mornings when they are able to watch a film. In addition, every Monday morning they are taken to bathe, exchange their clothes and visit the library; between 6.00 pm and 6.30 pm each day they can exchange library books within the segregation unit. during the week they exercise together for one hour each day in the main compound area when other prisoners are not present; at weekends, when the compound area is in use, exercise is taken in groups in a small exercise yard. They are also able to use the gymnasium for an hour each week if they so wish. Educational work is undertaken in their cells; the education officers provide as wide a range of work as they can and conduct tutorials.
There is a monthly review of all cases. Where possible, prisoners are transferred to specialist units or to normal location at other establishments.