HC Deb 29 January 1992 vol 202 cc567-8W
Mr. Cox

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what positive action is being taken by his Department to encourage inmates to return to normal prison location from rule 43; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs. Rumbold

Detailed guidance was provided to governors in 1990 on the arrangements that should be made for the removal of inmates from association under prison rule 43 and young offender institution rule 46, and for the management of vulnerable prisoners. The White Paper "Custody, Care and Justice"—Cm 1647—presented to Parliament last September, stated that no prisoner should be segregated for longer than is absolutely necessary. It described the development of policies directed to provide a climate in prisons in which inmates could be removed from segregation and located more appropriately. In particular, the Government accepted a proposal in the Woolf report that the existing rules should be amended. Later this year, separate rules will he introduced to make clear the responsibilities and powers of governors in respect of vulnerable prisoners.