§ Mr. DoddsTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what his policy is in relation to police escorts for prisoners being transported to and from courts in Northern Ireland. [114036]
§ Jane KennedyThe Prison Service escort prisoners from prison to court. The Police Service can assist if requested and an armed presence is required. Once in court, police officers look after prisoners in the court cells and escort them into the courtroom and back to the 935W cells, before being transferred back to prison by the Prison Service. Where prisoners appear in court for the first time and are committed to custody (for example, on remand or if sentenced), police officers will escort them to prison.