Disabled Prisoners (Hansard, 23 May 1994)

§ Mr. Jim Cunningham
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what provisions are made in prisons for disabled prisoners;
(2) if he will list those prisons where (a) provisions are made for disabled prisoners and (b) no provision is made; and what plans he has for improvements in facilities for prisoners with disabilities;
(3) if he will publish the findings and recommendation of his most recent survey of (a) disabled facilities for prisoners and (b) for visitors to prisons who have disabilities.

§ 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. Jim Cunningham, dated 23 May 1994: The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Questions about facilities in prisons for disabled prisoners. The practice of the Prison Service is for staff to ensure that the needs of prisoners with disabilities are met on an individual basis, from reception throughout their time in custody. Staff assess their requirements and seek to provide particular facilities depending on the nature of the disability. The construction of facilities for 15W disabled prisoners, staff and visitors is part of this process and local minor work—such as cell modification—will cover most individual needs. For this reason, it is not possible to categorise prisons into those that do and do not have provision for disabled persons. The Prison Design Briefing System guidelines provide for access ramps, lifts, toilets, and for circulation routes to be made suitable for the passage of wheelchairs. These standards are taken into account in the building of new and the refurbishment of old prisons when this is possible. Surveys of facilities for the disabled provided as part of the capital building programme were undertaken in 1989 and 1993, but neither were able to cover the vast majority of building work undertaken locally, nor of the other facilities that had been supplied for disabled prisoners. There would be no merit in publishing such incomplete documents. Governors identify in their Strategic Development Plans what building work and facilities may be required in the forthcoming year for prisoners, staff and visitors. Most schemes will not require large sums of money and can be met using local funds.

§ Mr. Jim Cunningham
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations from organisations representing the interests of prisoners with disabilities he has received; and if he will list the organisations concerned.

§ 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. Jim Cunningham, dated 23 May 1994: The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about representations from organisations representing the interests of prisoners with disabilities. Representations have recently been received from "Disabilty Matters Limited" and "Mikewatch", an organisation set up to act on behalf of an individual disabled prisoner. The organisations have expressed concern over the opportunities that prisoners with disabilities have to participate in the education, work and recreational activities which are available to other prisoners. The supply of equipment to meet the special needs of prisoners and the opportunity to transfer to other establishments has also been raised. These representations are being considered and a reply will be sent to the organizations concerned as soon as possible.

§ Mr. Jim Cunningham
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners have disabilities(a) in total and (b) in each standard age group.

§ 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. Jim Cunningham, dated 23 May 1994: The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the numbers of prisoners who have disabilities, both in total and by age group. This information is not collected centrally and I regret that it could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.