§ Mr. Alex CarlileTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many registered disabled prisoners were in each of Her Majesty's prisons on the last date for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement; [9086]
(2) if he will make a statement on his policy concerning disabled prisoners; [9087]
(3) how many registered disabled offenders were received into custody during each year since 1990 and to date in 1996; and if he will make a statement. [9089]
§ Miss Widdecombe[holding answer 17 December 1996]: 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 Richard Tilt to Mr. Alex Carlile, dated 18 December 1996:
The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Questions about the Prison Service's policy concerning disabled prisoners, the number of registered disabled offenders who were received into custody during each year since 1990 and to date in 1996, and the number of registered disabled prisoners who were in each of Her Majesty's prisons on the last day for which figures are available.On 20 November 1996 the Prison Service issued Instruction to Governors 79/1996, entitled "Disability Discrimination Act 1995: Disabled Prisoners and Visitors". This instruction outlines the Prison Service's policy with regard to the provision of goods, facilities and services for disabled prisoners and visitors to establishments. A copy of the instruction is enclosed and I have arranged for a copy to be placed in the Library.The Prison Service has not, historically, kept records of the number of prisoners who are registered disabled and could therefore only be provided at disproportionate cost. We have recently put in hand a survey of the number of disabled prisoners in our custody, whether registered disabled or not. I shall be pleased to write to you again when we have analysed the results.
§ Mr. CarlileTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which prisons have been adapted to hold(a) disabled prisoners who require wheelchair access and (b) other physically disabled prisoners; what adaptations have been made to the prisons; and if he will make a statement. [9088]
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§ Miss Widdecombe[holding answer 17 December 1996]: 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 Richard Tilt to Mr. Alex Carlile, dated 18 December 1996:
The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about which prisons have been adapted to hold (a) disabled prisoners who require wheelchair access and (b) other physically 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 their disability. The construction of facilities for disabled prisoners is part of this process and local minor work e.g. cell modification, will cover most individual needs. For this reason we do not have comprehensive central records of all modifications made to buildings and it is not therefore possible to categorise prisons into those that do or do not have provision for disabled prisoners.Our standard briefing guides for new buildings provide for access ramps, lifts, toilets, and for circulation routes to be made suitable for the passage of wheelchairs. Wherever practical these guides are also taken into account when existing facilities are refurbished.