Women Prisoners (Police Matrons)

Oral Answers to Questions — Police – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 30 July 1959.

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Photo of Mr Patrick Gordon Walker Mr Patrick Gordon Walker , Smethwick 12:00, 30 July 1959

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how far it is the practice in the Metropolitan Police area for a police matron to accompany a woman prisoner in a police conveyance in which male prisoners are also being carried; and what steps are taken to ensure that the practice is observed.

Photo of Mr R.A. Butler Mr R.A. Butler , Saffron Walden

The practice is for a police matron to accompany women prisoners in police conveyances on routes on which women prisoners are regularly carried: and this arrangement is being supplemented by the use of policewomen. The Commissioner is considering whether any further extension is desirable and practicable.

Photo of Mr Patrick Gordon Walker Mr Patrick Gordon Walker , Smethwick

Can the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that there will not be a repetition of the incident in which apparently a woman on remand was taken in a black maria alone with a number of male prisoners and without any official—man or woman—present, and was submitted to a great deal of abuse and vilification? This was reported in the Press at the time and I do not think that the report has been contradicted.

Photo of Mr R.A. Butler Mr R.A. Butler , Saffron Walden

Some incidents of a similar character which took place in a van between 16th April and 25th May were investigated by the Commissioner. He tells me that all the police officers concerned report that on those journeys no unseemly incidents took place. We shall naturally follow this and, as the right hon. Gentleman knows, we have taken particular care in the design of vans to see that this kind of thing does not happen.

Photo of Mr Patrick Gordon Walker Mr Patrick Gordon Walker , Smethwick

As there were no police officers present, how do they know that no unseemly incident took place?

Photo of Mr R.A. Butler Mr R.A. Butler , Saffron Walden

That is the report which I have received from the Commissioner.