HC Deb 05 March 2003 vol 400 cc1074-5W
Mr. Hoyle

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what types of cases prisoners are taken from HMP Garth and HMP Wymott to(a) Chorley and (b) Royal Preston Hospital; and how many overnight stays by prisoners have taken place at Chorley Hospital over the last 12 months. [99905]

Hilary Benn

Information about the specific cases of each prisoner taken from Garth and Wymott prisons to Chorley District hospital and Royal Preston hospital is not available without disproportionate cost, but prisoners are taken to hospital for a variety of surgical, medical and other reasons.

From the period 26 February 2002 to 26 February 2003, there have been 50 overnight stays at Chorley District hospital by prisoners from Garth. For the same period, there have been 238 overnight stays by prisoners from Wymott.

Mr. Hoyle

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prison officers have to accompany a prisoner being taken to hospital. [99906]

Hilary Benn

The options available to prison managers when considering the levels of staffing for a hospital escort or bedwatch, are outlined in paragraph 37.116 of the Prison Service Security Manual (PSO 1000), a copy of which is deposited in the Library. Generally speaking, two officers will normally escort a single prisoner.

However, all outside prisoner movements are subject to a thorough risk assessment which will determine not only the appropriate level of staffing required, but also, where necessary, the levels of restraint to be used. The risk assessment will consider amongst other things, the nature of the prisoner's offence, their physical capability to escape (either with or without outside assistance), and the risks that they pose to both hospital staff and the general public. All risk assessments must be regularly reviewed to take into account any changes in the prisoners physical condition, or the general circumstances under which the escort is being conducted.

Mr. Hoyle

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many hours have been spent by prison officers from(a) HMP Garth and (b) HMP Wymott accompanying prisoners during visits to hospital; and what the estimated cost is of transporting prisoners to hospital from (a) HMP Garth and (b) HMP Wymott over the last 12 months. [99907]

Hilary Benn

From the period 26 February 2002 to 26 February 2003, Garth prison used 6,773.5 officer hours for prisoner bedwatches and escorts to hospital and Wymott prison used 6,240 officer hours. The estimated cost for accompanying prisoners to outside hospital visits at Garth between 26 February 2002 and 26 February 2003 is £96,037. The estimated cost for this during the same period at Wymott is £107,182.