HC Deb 09 June 1992 vol 209 cc75-6W
Mr. Cousins

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners and remand prisoners at Durham prison were transferred to the care of hospitals in each month of the last two years; how many of such prisoners required(a) physical restraint such as handcuffs and (b) constant supervision by local police; what recompense has been made by the prison authorities as a health care purchaser to the providing hospitals; and what is the scale of charges that forms the basis of recompense.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

The number of prisoners at Durham prison transferred to hospitals in each month of the year 1991–92 is as follows. Figures are not available for the previous year.

1991–92 Number
April 9
May 6
June 10
July 6
August 9
September 9
October 14
November 8
December 6
January 6
February 8
March 6
Total 97

All such prisoners were handcuffed to staff on the journey to hospital except where the medical conditions precluded this. None of thse prisoners required constant supervision by the police. Where patient care is provided to prisoners in national health service facilities, the costs are a matter for the prisoner's district health authority of origin.