Gilbert McNamee (Hansard, 5 February 1997)

§ Mr. Corbyn
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will allow Gilbert McNamee open visits with his family and friends. [13281]

§ Miss Widdecombe
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. Jeremy Corbyn, dated 5 February 1997:
The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about open visits for Gilbert 'Danny' McNamee with his family and friends.

Mr. McNamee
has been categorised as an exceptional risk category A prisoner. Exceptional risk category A prisoners are held in special secure units and are subject to closed visits. This policy was introduced last year in the light of escapes by prisoners from Whitemoor and Parkhurst.
The humanitarian aspects of closed visits were recognised and taken into account. It was decided that, notwithstanding these humanitarian considerations, the interests of security had to be paramount. In exceptional circumstances, an open visit may be allowed, following an application to the Director of Dispersal prisons.