HC Deb 24 July 2000 vol 354 c467W
Mr. Mackinlay

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the procedures applicable to the removal of property and papers from convicted prisoners while serving their sentences. [132282]

Mr. Boateng

The Prison Rules 43(5) and the Young Offender Institution Rules 45(4) allow Governors to confiscate any unauthorised article found in the possession of prisoners after their reception into prison, or concealed or deposited anywhere within a prison. Chapters 17 and 18 of the Security Manual, PSO 1000, contain procedural guidance on conducting searches and preserving evidence arising therefrom, and are available in the Library.

Mr. Mackinlay

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if an inventory is maintained of property and papers removed from convicted prisoners while serving their sentences. [132281]

Mr. Boateng

While no central inventory exists for property and papers removed from prisoners, confiscated items are recorded on the individual searching sheets returns. Items of especial value are recorded in the local Heads of Management Services' offices.