Prisons - new material (19)
01 December 1996
The prison population in 1995. Home Office Statistical Bulletin Issue 14/96 (July) 1996 pp24. This bulletin notes a continuing rise in the prison population and records the highest ever average prison population (51 000) for 1995 and the highest ever female prison population (1 980). There were 8 800 "ethnic minority" prisoners in June 1995.
Prison Watch press releases 175-177. Prison Watch (July) 1996. These press releases cover the inquests of Mark Waldren (died 4.12.95. at HMP Doncaster) and Fred West (died 1.1.95. at Hmp Birmingham). No. 176 covers the suicide of Brett Hay at Lincoln prison on 8 July; it expresses grave concern about management and medical care following a probable nine deaths from suicide at the prison since 1993.
Prison Watch press releases 178-179. Prison Watch (July) 1996. These press releases discuss the HM Inspector of Prisons reports into HMP Manchester and Low Norton remand centre.
Penal Affairs Consortium "Protecting the public". PAC (July) 1996 pp12. This report considers the government White Paper Protecting the Public and concludes that the Home Secretary's plans to introduce mandatory sentences and scrap parole could increase the prison population.
Imprisonment for fine default David Moxon & Claire Whittaker Home Office Research and Statistics Directorate Research Findings No. 35 (June) 1996. This study considers the circumstances of people who are imprisoned for default and finds that 75% of defaulters were unemployed and in receipt of benefit. Five of the eleven women interviewed in the survey had children prior to imprisonment.
Prison Reform Trust Prison Privatisation Report International, No. 3 (August) 1996. This useful broadsheet monitors worldwide developments in the privatised prison industry. Available from PRT 15 Northburgh Street London EC1V 0AH.
Howard turns the screws Keith Mann & Andy Johnson. Squall No, 13 (Summer) 1996. Interview with animal rights campaigner Keith Mann who was jailed for 11 years who describes the increasingly strict and harsh regime in Full Sutton maximum security prison.
Prisons in Eastern Europe: Some Refections on Prison Reform in Romania Roy D King. Howard Journal vol 35 no 3 August 1996, pp215-231.
Introduction to the European Prison Rules: historical background, development main contents Helmut Gonsa. Penological Information Bulletin nos 19 and 20 December 1994-1995 pp24-33.
Parliamentary debates
HM Prison Wandsworth Lords 10.6.96. cols. 1550-1564 Cornton Vale Prison (Suicides) Commons 17.6.96. cols. 659-666