HC Deb 15 July 1992 vol 211 cc782-3W
Sir John Wheeler (Westminster North)

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what progress has been made in developing the separate statement of principle for unconvicted prisoners, referred to in paragraph 7.5 of the White Paper "Custody, Care and Justice."

Mr. Peter Lloyd

The prison service has adopted a statement in the following termsUnconvicted prisoners are presumed to be innocent. Subject to the duty to hold them and deliver them to court securely and to the need to maintain order in establishments, they will be treated acordingly and, in particular, will be allowed all reasonable facilities to—

  • seek release on bail
  • preserve their accommodation and employment
  • prepare for trial
  • maintain contact with relatives and friends
  • pursue legitimate business and social interests
  • obtain help with personal problems
They will receive health care appropriate to their needs. They will have opportunities for education, religious observance, exercise and recreation and, where possible, for training and work.

The statement will be included in the material issued for the information of new unconvicted prisoners and will feature in the training material of new prison officers.

The statement of the task of the prison service set out in the "Prison Service Management Manual" and guidance in that manual for preparation of governors' contracts with their area managers have been expanded to reflect the separate status of unconvicted prisoners and the revised guidance will he issued shortly.