§ Mr. George HowarthTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what discussions his Department has had with the Whittington Hospital NHS trust in respect of its concerns over the practice of handcuffing and chaining women prisoners; [9493]
(2) when his Department learnt that the Whittington Hospital NHS trust had expressed concern at the practice of handcuffing and chaining pregnant women prisoners. [9494]
§ Miss Widdecombe[holding answer 15 January 1996]: This matter was first raised with the Prison Service on 31 August 1995, when the chief executive of the Whittington hospital wrote to the governor of Holloway prison. There has been further correspondence since then.
§ Mr. CorbynTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish all correspondence between the Whittington hospital and HMP Holloway concerning the handcuffing of women prisoners during visits to the hospital; and if he will make a statement. [11642]
§ Miss Widdecombe[holding answer 24 January 1996]: The temporary Director General of the Prison Service has reviewed the policy on the application of physical restraints to prisoners attending hospital, particularly pregnant prisoners and my right hon. and learned Friend announced this policy to the House on 18 January, Official Report, columns 893–94.
Copies of correspondence between the Whittington hospital and Holloway prison about this subject will be placed in the Library.