§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the longest period of time that an unconvicted prisoner was held in police cells in 1984.
§ Mr. MellorThirty-six nights.
§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners were held in police cells at the latest available date; and if he will give then-sex and location.
§ Mr. MellorOn the night of 15/16 January, seven female prisoners were held in Metropolitan police cells. This apart, no prisoners have been held in police cells this year.
§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) why it was found to be necessary to hold prisoners in police cells in 1984;
(2) what progress has been made towards implementing his promise given in 1983 to end the use of police cells for unconvicted and unsentenced prisoners.
§ Mr. MellorThe ending of the routine use of police cells for unconvicted prisoners in the London area on 31 December 1983 proved impossible to sustain throughout the first part of 1984 because of the rise in the unsentenced prison population. However, the re-opening of
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Age Sex Offence/Charge Sentence Cause of death 1. 44 M Threatening to kill Unsentenced Suicide: asphyxia by hanging 2. 47 M Burglary, criminal damage 6 months Open verdict: acute onchronic bronchitis, toxic myocarditis, coronary atheroma 3. 48 M Grievous bodily harm 4 years Natural causes: cardiac failure, coronary arterial sclerosis 4. 56 M Conspiracy, drug offences 21 months Natural causes: coronary thrombosis, atherosclerosis, myocardial fibrosis 5. 31 M Theft, handling stolen goods Unsentenced Suicide: asphyxia by hanging 6. 74 M Riding without a crash helmet 37 days Natural causes: haemo pericardium ruptured myocardial infarction, coronary thrombosis 7. 42 F Burglary, obtaining by deception Unsentenced Open verdict: subdural haemorrhage 8. 18 M Burglary 9 months Natural causes: cerebral haematoma 9. 33 M Robbery 7 years Suicide: asphyxia by hanging 10. 55 M Murder Life Natural causes: cancer Wormwood Scrubs A hall in April, the reduction of the minimum qualifying period for parole in July and the reopening of Brixton F wing in December have dealt with the problem for adult males. The occasional use of police cells for male young offenders is being tackled by changes in catchment areas. Some difficulty remains on the female side. Every effort is being made to bring additional accommodation into use at Holloway and to recruit the necessary female staff, and the recently established review of Holloway is focused on its role as a local prison.