Written question asked by Mike O'Brien (Labour), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 19 March 1996. It was answered by Ann Widdecombe (Conservative) on Tuesday, 19 March 1996 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office;Prison Service

Question: On how many occasions in the last five years prisoners have telephoned or written from Her Majesty's prisons to witnesses in such a way that charges of perverting the course of justice or other charges relating to attempts to interfere with witnesses in criminal cases have resulted. - Text of letter from Brian Landers of Prison Service Agency. Information is not available.

Answer: Mr. Mike O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions in the last five years prisoners have telephoned or written from Her Majesty's prisons to witnesses in such a way that charges of perverting the course of justice or other charges relating to attempts to interfere with witnesses in criminal cases have resulted.[20726] Miss Widdecombe: Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the temporary Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given. Letter from Brian Landers to Mr. Mike O'Brien, dated 19 March 1996: The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question about prisoners who may have telephoned or written to witnesses in such a way that charges of perverting the course of justice or other charges have resulted in criminal cases. Unfortunately this information is not available.

Secondary information