§ Mr. BattleTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners have contracted hepatitis B while in prison; and how many prisoners have died from hepatitis B(a) in prison and (b) following release in each of the last five years.
§ Mrs. RumboldThe number of reported cases of acute hepatitis B infectition among prisoners in England and Wales for each of the last five statistical years—April to March—is:
Number 1986–87 150 1987–88 155 1988–89 105 1989–90 56 1990–91 20 From the available statistical information it is not possible to presume how many of these prisoners became infected in prison. No prisoner died from hepatitis B infection in the five-year period. Statistical information about deaths after release from prison custody is not collected.
§ Mr. BattleTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners were immunised against hepatitis B while in prison in each of the last five years.
§ Mrs. RumboldI regret that this information is not available in statistical form and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
§ Mr. BattleTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the prison medical service offers immunisation against hepatitis B.
§ Mrs. RumboldYes. Prison medical officers are recommended to offer vaccination to those prisoners who are identified as belonging to a high-risk behaviour group and who are expected to remain in the prison system long enough to complete the six-month course.