HC Deb 12 March 1997 vol 292 c210W
Sir Ivan Lawrence

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when Long Lartin prison was opened as a dispersal prison; and how many escapes have taken place from Long Lartin since then. [19042]

Miss Widdecombe

[holding answer 11 March 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 A.J. Pearson to Sir Ivan Lawrence, dated 12 March 1997

The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question about Long Lartin Prison.

Long Lartin opened as a Category C prison in January 1971. It became a dispersal prison the following year in 1972. Since becoming a dispersal prison Long Lartin has never had an escape.