HC Deb 21 October 1991 vol 196 cc327-8W
Mr. Redmond

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department at what prison Sara Thornton, serving a life sentence for murder, is currently an inmate; why she was transferred from Her Majesty's prison Bullwood Hall to Her Majesty's prison Holloway on 13 August 1991; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs. Rumbold

Sara Thornton is at present detained in Her Majesty's prison Bullwood Hall. She was transferred to Her Majesty's prison Holloway from Her Majesty's prison Bullwood Hall on 13 August 1991 to ensure that she received full-time medical and psychiatric care in the medical wing while she was refusing to take food. She returned to Her Majesty's prison Bullwood Hall on 30 August 1991.

Ms. Thornton's case is curently being considered in the light of recent representations made on her behalf. Should any new evidence come to light which casts doubt on the safety of Ms. Thornton's conviction, my right hon. Friend will not hesitate to take the appropriate action.

Mr. Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will refer the Sara Thornton case to the Court of Appeal; and if he will make a statement.

Ratio of prison officers to inmates: 1 April 1987 to October 1991
Establishment 1 April 1 October
1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1991
Acklington 0.30 0.35 0.35 0.37 0.35 0.32
Albany 1.01 0.98 0.84 0.84 0.92 0.93
Aldington 0.52 0.35 0.39 0.39 0.44 0.37
Ashford 0.34 2.88 0.50 n/a n/a n/a
Ashwell 0.14 0.22 0.23 0.24 0.24 0.24
Askham Grange 0.28 0.29 0.33 0.40 0.41 0.37
Aylesbury 0.45 0.53 0.56 0.60 0.70 0.74
Bedford 0.55 0.50 0.54 0.56 0.68 0.79
Belmarsh n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 0.89
Birmingham 0.33 0.33 0.38 0.42 0.44 0.41
Blantyre House 1.08 0.78 0.48 0.47 n/a 0.43
Blundeston 0.32 0.32 0.34 0.36 0.40 0.39
Brinsford n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a
Bristol 0.39 0.41 0.43 0.44 0.71 0.67
Brixton 0.62 0.57 0.67 0.69 0.66 0.67
Brockhill 0.36 0.40 0.43 0.44 0.52 0.49
Buckley Hall 0.28 0.35 0.46 n/a n/a n/a
Bullingdon n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a
Bullwood Hall 0.45 0.43 0.47 0.59 0.72 0.78

Mr. John Patten

Representations which have been submitted on Sara Thornton's behalf are being considered to decide whether there are any grounds to justify intervention by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary.

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