§ Mr. AltonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the escape of prisoners from police custody while being transported from Walton prison to the magistrates' court on 21 January.
§ Mrs. RumboldOn the morning of 21 January, 15 prisoners were being escorted to Liverpool magistrates' court, under the supervision of eight staff from Her Majesty's prison, Liverpool. The coach had travelled only a short distance from the prison, when the majority of the prisoners moved en masse and attacked staff; it is believed364W that the prisoners were armed with knives. A fierce struggle ensued, during which three members of staff and two prisoners sustained injuries. Several windows of the coach were kicked out and a total of six prisoners succeeded in making good their escape, although still handcuffed. Initially eight prisoners succeeded in escaping through the coach windows but two were immediately restrained by prison staff.
Four of the six escaped prisoners were arrested by police within 40 minutes of the escape and all are facing further criminal charges. These four prisoners will be located in a prison other than Her Majesty's prison, Liverpool. Two prisoners remain unlawfully at large.
The injured staff and prisoners were taken to the accident and emergency department of Walton general hospital. Of the three staff, one sustained a deep wound to the forearm, another wounds to his arms and face and the third head and leg injuries. All three staff are now recovering from their injuries in their own homes. The two injured prisoners sustained, respectively, a cut to the neck; and a fractured jaw and a suspected fractured arm. One of the inmates remains in Walton general hospital while the other is recovering in Liverpool prison hospital.
A full inquiry into the circumstances of this incident will commence on 23 January 1992 led by the governor of Her Majesty's prison Birmingham.