§ Mr. Favellasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many convicted prisoners who have escaped from custody are now at large; what proportion of these have escaped from closed prisons; what proportion were convicted of offences involving violence; and what steps are being taken to reduce the number of escapes.
§ Mr. HurdThis information is not readily available in the form requested but my noble Friend will write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.
We are always concerned to reduce the number of escapes. Lessons are learned from individual incidents and guidance is issued where this would be useful. The Home Office scientific research and development branch has a programme of research designed to improve the maintenance of security and control within prisons.