§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the current position with regard to(a) the Prison Service investigation and (b) the investigation of the chief officer of the West Mercia constabulary into the death of Mr. Norman Manning in Long Lartin prison on 29 September 1994; when he expects these investigations to be concluded; if the reports will be made public; and if he will make a statement. [28142]
§ 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.
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Two year reconviction rates1 for sentenced prisoners discharged from Prison Service establishments between 1983 and 1992 England and Wales Age at sentence 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988 1987 21986 21985 21984 21983 Adults 45 45 45 45 47 48 42 44 46 48 Aged 14–16 89 87 89 85 83 83 75 75 74 77 Aged 15–17 81 81 83 81 80 79 — — — — Aged 16–18 75 76 77 75 74 75 — — — — Aged 18–203 68 69 68 66 65 67 — — — — Aged 18–21 65 67 65 64 63 66 — — — — All young offenders 71 72 72 71 70 71 62 64 65 67 Total 51 53 52 53 55 57 50 52 54 56 1 Relates to convictions for "standard list" offences only. These offences include all indictable offences and some of the more serious summary offences. Rates are based on samples of prisoners. 2 Reconviction rates for those discharged prior to 1987 are not directly comparable with those for earlier years due to a change in methodology. Prior to 1987 the overall rates will be lower by around 5 to 6 percentage points due to this change; further details are given on page 6 of the Home Office publication 'Prison statistics, England and Wales, 1994' (Cm. 3087). Information is not available for some of the age groups requested and the figure for 14 to 16-year-olds relates to male prisoners only. 3 Figures are supplied for those aged 18 to 20 in addition to those aged 18 to 21 as prisoners aged 21 at sentence are included among adults. Letter from A. J. Butler to Mr. Harry Cohen, dated 8 May 1996:
The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question about the investigations by the Prison Service and the West Mercia Constabulary into the death of Mr. Norman Manning in Long Lartin prison on 29 September 1994.The Prison Service investigation has been concluded and no evidence was found to indicate that procedures had failed to meet the need to care for Mr. Manning. After enquiries by the West Mercia Constabulary, two prisoners have been charged with the murder of Mr. Manning. Until the court case is resolved the reports will not be made public.