§ Mr. Chris SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects the report by Sir Donald Acheson on the health of prisoners to be published. [15702]
§ 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.
Letter from Richard Tilt to Mr. Chris Smith, dated 18 February 1997:
The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the report by Sir Donald Acheson on the health of prisoners.
The Prison Service asked Sir Donald Acheson to examine what effect, if any, the regime in the Special Secure Units at Belmarsh, Full Sutton and Whitemoor, might have on the health of prisoners held there and to report any findings to the Director of Security. Sir Donald presented his report in June 1996.
The report was commissioned internally and was not intended for publication. We have however provided copies on request and I attach a copy for your information.
The Prison Service has considered the report and taken careful note of its findings and recommendations (which are essentially based on what might result from a prolonged period of detention in an SSU rather than findings of present harm). We have made a number of amendments to procedures and will ensure that the general health of prisoners detained in SSUs is reviewed at regular intervals.