HC Deb 07 March 1994 vol 239 cc14-5W
Mr. Terry Davis

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance is given to prison governors in dealing with requests from prisoners to be allowed to attend funerals under escort; and if he will place a copy of this guidance in the Library.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

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. Terry Davis, dated 7 March 1994. The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about prisoners'escorted absences to attend funerals. Guidance for Governors is contained in Standing Order 7E, its accompanying Circular Instruction (43/1990), and the Security Manual, section 59. Copies of these documents are already in the House of Commons Library.

Mr. Terry Davis

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many people detained at Blakenhurst prison were allowed to attend family funerals under escort(a) in January and (b) in February;

(2) how many requests from prisoners at Blakenhurst prison to attend funerals under escort were refused (a) in January and (b) in February;

(3) how much money is paid to United Kingdom Detention Services for the cost of escorting prisoners at Blakenhurst prison to funerals and other important family events.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

Responsibility for these matters 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. Terry Davis, dated 7 March 1994: The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Questions about prisoners at Blakenhurst prison attending funerals and other important family events. Two prisoners at Blakenhurst were allowed to attend family funerals under escort in January and none in February. No prisoners were refused attendance at funerals in January and three prisoners were refused in February. UKDS tendered to provide the service set out in the contract for the whole operation of the prison, including escorting prisoners to court and elsewhere, and are paid an agreed sum for this total service.