§ Lord Macaulay of Bragarasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will state (a) what provisions are made for the accommodation and special needs of physically disabled persons held in Her Majesty's Prisons; and (b) how many prisoners, categorised as physically disabled, and held in the United Kingdom and classified as security risks.
The Minister of State, Home Office (Earl Ferrers)Prisons seek to meet the needs of physically disabled inmates on an individual basis—for example by providing books for the visually handicapped or by modifying cellular accommodation for those with mobility problems. The standard brief for the design of new prisons (or improvements to existing establishments) in England and Wales includes provision for various facilities for the disabled, including ramps, lifts, wide doors and special toilets in the hospital accommodation. No records are kept centrally of the numbers of prisoners with disabilities, but such information as is available suggests that the numbers are relatively small.