§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many unconvicted prisoners are currently sharing cells with convicted prisoners, by establishment and length of time shared;
(2) for how long, and for what reasons, unconvicted prisoners have had to share cells with convicted prisoners.
§ Mr. HurdThe information requested is not held centrally. Prison rule 3(2) provides that unconvicted prisoners shall be kept out of contact with convicted prisoners so far as this can reasonably be done, while rule 3(3) provides that nothing in this rule shall require a prisoner to be deprived unduly of the society of other persons. It rests with governors to decide how to allocate individual prisoners to cells in the light of these general principles. Normally, unconvicted prisoners would not be allocated to cells with convicted prisoners, but departures from this practice have been authorised by governors—for example, in order to cope with severe overcrowding and restricted accommodation for limited periods until a suitable vacancy occurs. If the hon. Member has any particular instances in mind, perhaps he could let me know so that I can provide further information.