HC Deb 12 February 1997 vol 290 cc214-5W
Mr. McNamara

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reasons the six category A exceptional risk prisoners who escaped from Whitemoor prison in 1994 did not have category A books showing their period at Whitemoor in the special secure unit; and if other prisoners in that unit had such books. [14883]

Miss Widdecombe

[holding answer 11 February 1997]: 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. Kevin McNamara, dated 12 February 1997: The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about Category A books for prisoners in the special secure unit (SSU) at Whitemoor prison. Category A exceptional risk prisoners held in the SSU in 1994 did not have movement recorded in Category A books because it was judged that, within the discrete area of the SSU, this was unnecessary as it was a small location in which no significant movement was possible.

Mr. McNamara

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the nature of the deteriorating health condition of each of the accused in the Whitemoor prison escape trial; what psychiatric and other medical examinations the accused have had since the trial was discontinued; and if he will make a statement. [14884]

Miss Widdecombe

[holding answer 11 February 1997]: 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. Kevin McNamara, dated 12 February 1997: The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the nature of the deteriorating health condition of each of the accused in the Whitemoor prison escape trial. For reasons of medical confidentiality, it is not possible to give detailed information on the health of individual prisoners. All prisoners in special secure units are subject to medical review by the prison medical officer at three monthly intervals. As the prisoners who were charged with escaping from Whitemoor prison are held in special secure units they are subject to these regular medical reviews. There is no medical evidence that the health of prisoners held in special secure units is being significantly affected by their imprisonment in these units.