HC Deb 03 May 2000 vol 349 cc153-4W
Mr. Gerrard

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what date Quayyum Raja, currently detained at HMP Long Lartin, was convicted; what was his sentence; how long he has been detained at Long Lartin; and when he is due to be released. [120035]

Mr. Boateng

Quayyum Raja was sentenced to life imprisonment on 7 February 1985. He was given a tariff of 25 years which expires on 1 February 2009. His readiness for release or transfer to open conditions will be considered by the Parole Board for the first time in 2006. He has been detained at Long Lartin prison since 17 February 1992.

Mr. Gerrard

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners detained at HMP Long Lartin were offered progressive moves to other prisons in each of the last three years, and in the current year to date, and of those how many(a) accepted and (b) declined the transfer; and of those who declined the transfer, how many were placed in segregation. [120004]

Mr. Boateng

This information is not readily available and cannot be provided in the form requested except at disproportionate cost. It is known, however, that during the last 30 months Long Lartin prison has offered progressive moves to approximately 50 category B life sentence prisoners.

A minority of prisoners do indicate a reluctance to comply with initial transfer instructions, but in almost all cases do move following representations to Prison Service headquarters.

Prisoners are not placed in segregation for refusing a progressive move.

Mr. Gerrard

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if prisoners who undertake a progressive move normally become eligible for home leave or parole prior to release. [120036]

Mr. Boateng

Life sentence prisoners become eligible for escorted absences to towns near their establishments after having completed six months in category C conditions. They are not eligible for any form of unsupervised home leave or any other form of temporary release until they have reached open conditions.

All prisoners sentenced to determinate sentences of four years or more are eligible to be considered for parole once they reach the halfway point of their sentence. Moves between prisons and recategorisation do not affect their eligibility for parole.

Mr. Gerrard

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reason Mr. Quayyum Raja was placed in segregation at HMP Long Lartin after refusing a progressive move to HMP Swaleside; and whether(a) he and (b) his officials were informed of this prior to the segregation taking place. [120037]

Mr. Boateng

Mr. Quayyum Raja has never been placed in segregation as a result of refusing a progressive move from Long Lartin to Swaleside prison.

Mr. Raja's refusal to move to Swaleside was in contravention of his sentence plan, a crucial part of his progress towards eventual release. This led to him being downgraded to basic level on the Prison Service incentives and earned privileges scheme and moved to the basic regime wing at Long Lartin prison.

The Prison Service has now re-considered Mr. Raja's case in the light of recent changes in the availability of accommodation at Gartree prison and Mr. Raja has now accepted a move to Gartree.