HC Deb 20 January 1992 vol 202 cc51-2W
Mr. Andrew Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many high-risk category A prisoners there were in prisons in England and Wales on 31 December 1991; of what offences these people had been convicted; and how long each of these prisoners had spent, up to 31 December 1991, as high-risk category A prisoners.

Mrs. Rumbold

On 31 December 1991 there were 106 high-risk category A prisoners in custody in England and Wales. This figure includes convicted and sentenced prisoners, unconvicted (remand) prisoners, and convicted prisoners awaiting sentence. A range of offences is involved including murder, robbery and offences associated with terrorism. Information on time spent as high risk category A prisoners is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Mr. Andrew Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how long high-risk category A has been in operation as a category in prisons in England and Wales; and how many prisoners in total have been placed in this category since it came into being.

Mrs. Rumbold

The classification of prisoners as high-risk category A was introduced in its present form in 1988. Other information in the form requested is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Mr. Andrew Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the average length of time that prisoners remain as high-risk category A prisoner.

Mrs. Rumbold

Information in the form requested could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Mr. Andrew Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what difference in treatment results as a consequence of prisoners being categorised as high-risk category A.

Mrs. Rumbold

In maximum security (dispersal) prisons, the difference in treatment between category A high-risk prisoners and those at standard risk is apparant only in the supervision arrangements for receiving visitors. Visits involving high-risk inmates are more closely supervised. Where high-risk prisoners are held in local prisons, additional security measures may be applied according to local circumstances. When a high-risk category A prisoner is taken outside an establishment, additional escort measures may be applied according to circumstances at the time.