§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the answer of 8 May, Official Report, column 407, what are the industrial relations problems that make it necessary to detain remand prisoners in police and court cells.
§ Mr. MellorIndustrial action by prison staff leading to prisoners being held in police cells has taken place at five establishments during 1985. The issues were as follows:
- (a) attempts to reduce operating capacity;
- (b) refusal to admit prisoners after a given hour;
- (c) refusal to admit prisoners diverted from another establishment;
- (d) the reception and management of prisoners possibly suffering from AIDS or hepatitis.
§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the answer of 8 May, Official Report, column 407, what are the transport and other logistical problems that make it necessary to detain remand prisoners in police and court cells.
§ Mr. MellorPrisoners from London magistrates' courts pass through a central clearing house from whence they are delivered to the appropriate establishments. This operation can occasionally be disrupted by factors such as the late sitting of a court, traffic delays, vehicle breakdowns or staff sickness with the result that prisoners sometimes cannot be delivered before the prison reception closes for the night.