§ Mr. CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what policy exists within the Prison Service for training and advice for home leave by prison inmates. [34080]
§ Miss WiddecombeResponsibility 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. Tom Cox, dated 19 July 1995:
The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about policy on training and advice for home leave.Following the Home Secretary's announcement on 18 November last year the existing arrangements for home leave and temporary release have been replaced by a new system of release on temporary licence, which came into effect on 25 April.Before its implementation, an Instruction to Governors (36/1995) setting out detailed guidance on the operation of the new scheme was issued to all establishments. A copy of this Instruction is in the Library of the House.In addition, a series of fifteen regional training seminars, were held for representatives from all prisons. These were also attended by representatives of local police and probation services. Those attending the seminars were provided with training material suitable for other members of staff in their organisations.There are three helpline telephone numbers in operation at Prison Service Headquarters to give advice and assistance on the new policy to prison staff, as well as the police and probation services. A pocket handbook on the new scheme for prison staff is now being prepared for distribution.