HC Deb 17 March 1983 vol 39 cc257-8W
Mr. Thomas Cox

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the number of (a) men and (b) women held in solitary confinement in prisons in Northern Ireland on 1 March.

Mr. John Patten

There are no prisoners compulsorily removed from association in the interests of good order and discipline under rule 25 of the Prison Rules (Northern Ireland) 1982. On 1 March four men, but no women, were held in cellular confinement as punishment awarded for breaches of prison rules. Another eight men were held in cells pending adjudication.

Mr. Thomas Cox

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the longest period of time a person at present in solitary confinement in a prison in Northern Ireland has been kept under these conditions.

Mr. John Patten

No prisoner is held compulsorily under the provisions of rule 25 of the Prison Rules (Northern Ireland) 1982. On 9 March the longest period in which a prisoner had been held in cellular confinement as a punishment for an offence against prison discipline was 18 days.