§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners are detained in each special secure unit; and if he will list for each(a) the nature of crime for which the prisoner was convicted, (b) the (i) national origin and (ii) citizenship of the prisoner, (c) their special category status, (d) their length of detention in the unit and (e) how many medical examinations have been conducted in that time; and what supervisory mechanism is in place to ensure that any abnormal medical observations are acted upon. [89909]
§ Mr. George HowarthOn 5 July 1999, seven prisoners were held in special secure units (SSUs), five at Whitemoor and two at Belmarsh. Only prisoners categorised as category A exceptional escape risk are held in SSUs.
The table gives the information requested including the number of three monthly medical reviews conducted. These reviews are part of the operating standards for SSUs and are provided in addition to the normal health care facilities available to every prisoner. Any prisoner who is observed to be presenting abnormal medical conditions will be discussed by the senior medical officer and the unit governor. The senior medical officer will provide or recommend medical services as appropriate according to his judgment.
79W
Category A exceptional risk prisoners held in special secure units Nationality Offence Time spent in SSU Number of three-monthly health reviews Turkish Importation and supply of drugs 4 months 2 British Murder 2 months 1 British Conspiracy to supply drugs 1 month 0 British Armed robbery 2 months 0 American Conspiracy to murder 3 years 7 Colombian Customs evasion 2 years 6 Turkish Conspiracy to supply drugs 7 months 2
§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures have been taken to address deficiencies in the completion of visitor records for the special secure unit at Whitemoor Prison; and on what dates between 1 September 1998 and 1 April 1999 the Governor of Whitemoor Prison visited its special secure unit. [89910]
§ Mr. George HowarthThe operating standards for the special secure unit at Whitemoor include a requirement for weekly visits by the governing governor or, in his absence, a nominated representative. These visits are recorded. This is in response to recommendation 44 of the Woodcock report that frequent supervisory visits should be carried out and recorded in a matrix to be produced monthly to the prison governor. The table provides the specific information requested.
Governor's visits to Special Secure Unit at Whitemoor Prison Visitor Governor Nominated representative 1998 September 8,14,29 23 October 6,13,16 29 November 16,25 5,9,19 December 7,22,25 11 1999 January 18,28 5,15 February 19,26 1,11 March 3,16,19,29 (2 April)