§ Mr. George HowarthTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what changes have been made to home leave arrangements at Maidstone gaol since 1 November.
§ Mr. Michael Forsyth[holding answer 21 November 1994]: Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter from Derek Lewis to Mr. George Howarth, dated 20 December 1994:
The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about changes that have been made to home leave arrangements at Maidstone prison since 1 November 1994.The more stringent risk assessment for temporary release (which includes home leave) for prisoners, announced on 18 November by the Home Secretary, has already been implemented at Maidstone. The new procedures, which include consideration of the victims' views if known, will provide for a more rigorous assessment to be made in considering all applications for home leave and temporary release.