Written question asked by Kevin McNamara (Labour), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 28 February 1997. It was answered by Ann Widdecombe (Conservative) on Friday, 28 February 1997 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office;Prison Service

Question: In what circumstances video-recording occurs of prisoners undergoing examination in medical facilities within Her Majesty's prisons. - Text of letter from Richard Tilt of Prison Service. (Holding answer 27 February 1997).

Answer: Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in what circumstances video-recording occurs of prisoners undergoing examination in medical facilities within Her Majesty's prisons. [16356] Miss Widdecombe: [holding answer 27 February 1997]: Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given. Letter from Richard Tilt to Mr. Kevin McNamara, dated 28 February 1997: The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the circumstances in which video recording of prisoners undergoing medical examination may occur in prison in England and Wales. It is not our normal practice to permit the video recording of prisoners undergoing medical examination. Exceptionally video recordings have been made during psychotherapeutic sessions to assist the therapeutic process. These recordings were made by the psychiatrist with the knowledge and consent of the individual prisoners concerned.

Secondary information