Written question asked by Annette Brooke (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 19 November 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 26 November 2002. It was answered by Hilary Benn (Labour) on Tuesday, 26 November 2002 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will make it his policy to collect centrally information on where prisoners served previous sentences. - Includes ref to computerised 'Inmates Information System'.

Answer: Mrs. Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make it his policy to collect centrally information on where prisoners served previous sentences. [82824] Hilary Benn: Prisoner records are held locally at each establishment and, since 1988, this information has been held on the computerised `Inmate Information System' (US) which provides a central view of prisoners held in England and Wales. Although some pre-1988 records have been placed on the US, `historical' information remains largely paper-based but is still accessible if required, subject to the normal disposal regime for obsolete files. Programmes are being developed to extend centralised, electronic record keeping in the Prison Service and other parts of the Criminal Justice System.

Secondary information