JUSTICE FOR REMAND PRISONERS

That this House is deeply concerned at the increase in the numbers of prisoners held on remand which have grown from 5,600 in 1975 to 10, 500 in 1989; condemns the fact that many remand prisoners are locked up for lengthy periods each day and that many are obliged to share cells with convicted prisoners; deplores the fact that large numbers of remand prisoners have to wait many months, or even years, before coming to trial; notes with dismay that the Woolf report stated that conditions for remand prisoners were often worse than those for convicted prisoners; expresses its view that such a system undermines the principle of law that presumes innocence until guilt is proved; and calls on the Government to institute immediate improvements in the treatment of remand prisoners and, in particular, to respond urgently and positively to the recomendations concerning prisoners contained in the Woolf report including the proposal that the remand prisoner should spend his time in custody in as constructive a manner as possible and, to the extent that this is practicable, to preserve his employment, family and community connections.