§ Lord Hyltonasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many prisoners in England, Wales and Scotland are currently subject to a requirement for "closed" visits.
§ Lord Williams of MostynA policy of mandatory closed visits for all exceptional risk Category A prisoners held in Special Secure Units was introduced in June 1995. There are currently six such prisoners.
In addition, governors have discretion under Prison Standing Order 5 to impose closed visits in respect of any prisoner where security or control considerations so require. Figures for the number of prisoners currently subject to discretional closed visits are not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.