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Doncaster Prison
Mr. Redmond: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department who are the current members of the race relations management team for Doncaster prison; in each case where is their place of (a) employment and (b) residence. [24489]
Miss Widdecombe: Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange a reply to be given.
Letter from Richard Tilt to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 3 April 1996:
3 Apr 1996 : Column: 289
The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the members of the race relations management team for Doncaster prison.
I attach a table with details of the employment and residence of the members of the race relations management team at Doncaster.
Name Employment Residence
J. Mandefield (Chairperson) Premier Prisons Services (PPS), Operations Manager HMP Doncaster
C. Barrett (Race Relations Liaison Officer) PPS, Throughcare Coordinator HMP Doncaster
Rev. I. Jennings PPS, Chaplaincy HMP Doncaster
Mr. Khan Imam The Mosque, St. James' Street, Waterdale, Doncaster
D. Kirkham South Yorkshire Probation Service, Senior Probation Officer HMP Doncaster
S. Armiger PPS, Catering Manager HMP Doncaster
M. Samuels South Yorkshire Probation Service Arundel Gate, Sheffield
Ms Verma Doncaster Council for Racial Equality Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council
D. King Doncaster Council for Racial Equality Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council
J. Lewis PPS, Nurse HMP Doncaster
P. Etherington Board of Visitors HMP Doncaster
Metropolitan Police Art Theft Squad
Mr. Dalyell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many full-time and part-time members of the police, and at what rank, worked in the art theft squad of the Metropolitan police at any convenient date in 1976, 1986, 1991 and 1996; and if he will make a statement. [23152]
Mr. Maclean: I understand that precise records are not available for 1976 but that the unit then employed a total of some 13 staff. The unit was not operating as such in 1986. In 1991 there were three staff, one of whom was a civilian. The present staffing is one detective sergeant, two detective constables and two civilian staff. I understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that the name and remit of the art and antiques unit, originally the philatelic squad, has changed several times since its inception in 1968.
Buckley Hall Prison
Ms Lynne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will specify what (a) improvements and (b) other recommendations have been made by the Prison Service's regional area manager with respect to Buckley Hall prison; which have been implemented; and on what dates. [24168]
Miss Widdecombe: 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 Alastair Papps to Ms Liz Lynne, dated 3 April 1996:
The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question about the timing and implementation of improvements and other recommendations at Buckley Hall which have been made by the Prison Service area manager.
(3) how many ex-Prison Service staff are currently employed by Group 4 at Buckley Hall; and at what grades; [24094]
(4) what has been the cost of damage to the building, fixtures and fittings as a result of disturbances and other incidents at Buckley Hall from the date of opening to the present time; and what proportion of these costs have been borne by (a) his Department and (b) Group 4. [24095]
3 Apr 1996 : Column: 290
Miss Widdecombe:
Responsibility for these matters 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 Ms Liz Lynne, dated 3 April 1996:
The previous employment of any staff at the prison is a matter for Group 4. Prison Service responsibility is limited to the certification of prisoner custody officers. However, I understand that seven staff who are currently employed at Buckley Hall prison have had previous employment in a public sector prison.
The Prison Service has borne no costs for damage to buildings, fittings and fixtures. I understand that Group 4 have spent £2,287 on materials at Buckley Hall in respect of damage incurred during reportable incidents.
Miss Widdecombe:
Responsibility for these matters 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 Ms Liz Lynne, dated 3 April 1996:
Miss Widdecombe:
A full inspection of Buckley Hall prison will be undertaken in the first half of 1997. This is in accordance with the policy of Her Majesty's chief inspector of prisons that all new prisons should be
3 Apr 1996 : Column: 291
operational for some two years before being fully inspected: this is to allow processes and systems to become established.
Ms Lynne:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many members of the Prison Service visited Buckley Hall prison on the 25 March; what were the grades of the Prison Service members; what was the purpose of the visits; and what conclusions were drawn by members of the Prison Service. [24173]
Miss Widdecombe:
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 Ms Liz Lynne, dated 3 April 1996:
Miss Widdecombe:
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 Ms Liz Lynne, dated 3 April 1996:
3 Apr 1996 : Column: 292
Miss Widdecombe:
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 Ms Liz Lynne, dated 3 April 1996:
KEY: "S" = amendment requires a significant change in service
"T" = amendment is of a technical nature, that is it clarifies or corrects the text or introduces new names and addresses, etc.
Miss Widdecombe:
Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison
3 Apr 1996 : Column: 293
Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter from Richard Tilt to Ms Liz Lynne, dated 3 April 1996:
The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the cost of additional fencing and installation of external cameras at Buckley Hall, as well as both the responsibility to pay for this extra security and the design of the initial prison fence.
Miss Widdecombe:
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 Ms Liz Lynne, dated 3 April 1996:
The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about whether an investigation would be carried out into recent allegations about absconding by prisoners at Buckley Hall prison who have been given the cleaning tasks outside the prison.
Miss Widdecombe:
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.
Ms Lynne:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what is the present full complement of (a) part-time and (b) full-time staff by grade currently employed by Group 4 at Buckley Hall prison; [24172]
The area manager tours Buckley Hall prison in the company of the Director and Controller. During this tour he may make numerous verbal recommendations of an advisory nature. This is fully in keeping with the type of observations which he would make in any of the public sector prisons for which he is responsible. The Controller, who is present, ensures that recommendations are implemented.
(2) what is the full complement of (a) part-time and (b) full-time staff by grade employed by Group 4 at the end of Buckley Hall prison's first year of operation; [24171]
Ms Lynne:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many times, and in what circumstances, Group 4 has been financially penalised for failing to perform under the terms of its contract for Buckley Hall prison; [24096]
The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Questions about Buckley Hall prison.
The table below shows the complement of full-time and part-time staff (excluding sub-contractors) employed by Group 4 at Buckley Hall prison at the end of the first year of operation and currently.
Month Full-time staff Part-time staff
End December 1995 131 18
End March 1996 138 25
(2) how many times, and in what circumstances, default notices have been issued to Group 4 in respect of its performance at Buckley Hall; on how many occasions financial penalties have been levied in respect of default notices that have been issued; and if he will list in each case the reason for not levying financial penalties in respect of a default notice. [24093]
Ms Lynne:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans there are for a full inspection of Buckley Hall prison by Her Majesty's chief inspector of prisons; and what is the intended date of this visit. [24169]
The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Questions about improvement notices and financial penalties imposed on Group 4 in respect of Buckley Hall prison.
To date, no financial penalties have been imposed and four improvement notices have been issued. These relate to the standard of cleaning in the dining-room; the supervision of prisoners; the failure to provide an agreed number of industrial work places; and the provision of sentence plans and compacts for prisoners. Financial penalties have not been imposed because, in each case, the Prison Service has been satisfied that Group 4 has taken appropriate action to remedy the situation.
Ms Lynne:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the incidents which have occurred at Buckley Hall prison that have been reported to the Prison Service. [24170]
The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the purpose, grades and conclusions drawn by members of the Prison Service who visited Buckley Hall on 25 March.
The monthly progress planning meeting group was held on 25 March at Buckley Hall prison and was attended by Mr T A Bone, Area Manager for the Trans Pennine area; Mr S Eley, governor 3; and Mrs R Simpson, grade 7, of the Contracts and Competition Group at Prison Service headquarters.
The purpose of the meeting was to monitor the contract.
No specific conclusions were made.
The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question asking for a list of the incidents which have occurred at Buckley Hall prison that have been reported to the Prison Service.
The attached table shows the number and types of incidents reported from 14/12/94 to 29/2/96 inclusive.
Incident type Number of incidents
Abscond 4
Assault 19
Self harm 2
Attempted escape from escort 2
Attempted escape 3
Concerted indiscipline 7
Drugs 26
Escape 2
Escape from escort 2
Fire 3
Temporary release failures 30
Key lock compromise 1
Miscellaneous 3
Recaptures surrenders 9
Rooftop demonstrations 2
Tool loss 2
Total l17
Ms Lynne:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in what terms the original signed contract between the Prison Service and Group 4 for the running of Buckley Hall prison has been amended. [24277]
Ms Lynne:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 19 March, Official Report, column 154, on smuggling into Buckley Hall prison, (a) what is the estimated cost of the additional fencing and the possible installation of external cameras, (b) who will be responsible for payment of such extra security measures and (c) who was responsible for the design of the initial prison fence. [24298]
The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about amendments to the contract between the Prison Service and Group 4 for the running of Buckley Hall prison.
The changes made are described in the attached table.
Amendment number Date of amendment Subject of amendment
1(T) 22 November 1994 Extension of period for negotiation of Performance Measurement System
2 (S/T) 20 October 1996 Changes in procedures for visits, including the introduction of a requirement for prisoners to wear identification bibs, and to correct a typographical error
3 (T) 20 October 1996 Change of Prison Service representatives who are authorised to amend contract
4 (S) 16 January 1996 Incorporation of a Performance Measurement system and consequential change in amount of maximum penalty points, in any period of 12 months
5 (T) 7 March 1996 Clarification of arrangements for adjusting payments in the light of penalty points accrued under the Performance Measurement system
Ms Lynne:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what investigations his Department will carry out into recent allegations about absconding by prisoners at Buckley Hall prison who have been given cleaning tasks outside the prison. [24299]
The cost of additional cameras and fencing will be incurred by Group 4.
The initial prison fence is standard Prison Service design for category C prisons.
Ms Lynne:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals there are for an investigation to be carried out into the prisoner who was recaptured in the car park of Buckley prison; if this incident was classified as an escape attempt; and what penalty was imposed on Group 4 following this incident. [24300]
The Controller considered it unnecessary to carry out an investigation. The only prisoner to abscond from an outside work area had, up to the time of this incident in December, been a model prisoner, with the lowest security classification.
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