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16 Jan 2008 : Column 1326W—continued
| Table 3: Number of f ixed p enalty n otices issued for graffiti and litter in Hampshire | ||||
| Graffiti | Litter | |||
| Authority | April 2006 to March 2007 | April 2005 to March 2006 | April 2006 to March 2007 | April 2005 to March 2006 |
| Source: DEFRA | ||||
Chelmsford Prison: Suicide
Mr. Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (1) how many suicides there have been in Chelmsford Prison since 4 May 2007; what steps are being taken to prevent suicides at Chelmsford Prison; and if he will make a statement; [179433]
(2) what assessment he has made of the trend in the number of suicides in Chelmsford Prison since 2006; and if he will make a statement. [179434]
Maria Eagle: There have been four apparent self-inflicted deaths at Chelmsford Prison since 4 May 2007(1).
Since 2004 the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman has been conducting investigations into all deaths in prison custody. All such deaths are also subject to a coroners inquest. The investigations into the deaths at HMP Chelmsford are on-going and it is too early to say what factors may have contributed to these particular deaths.
However, we do know that the prison population contains a high proportion of very vulnerable individuals, many of whom have experienced negative life events that we know increase the likelihood of them harming themselves. Issues that increase risk include drug/alcohol abuse, family background and relationship problems, social disadvantage or isolation, previous sexual or physical abuse, and mental health problems.
Every death in prison affects families, staff and other prisoners deeply. Ministers and the Prison Service are completely committed to reducing the number of such tragic incidents. The updated Prison Service suicide prevention strategy was published in October 2007 with implementation due to be completed in every prison, including Chelmsford, by end-April 2008. Building on several years of learning from the experience of prisoners, staff, investigators, inspectors and others, it incorporates developments such as improved cross-agency information flows, the provision of safer cells, increasing prisoner peer support, and the introduction of ACCT (assessment, care in custody and teamwork) the care-planning system for prisoners at risk of suicide or self-harm, introduced across the prisons estate in partnership with the Department of Health during 2005-07.
HMP Chelmsford itself has developed a strong relationship with Samaritans to provide support for prisoners. Over the last year there has been a great deal of work to improve suicide prevention related training for staff. This includes training in ACCT, use of cut down tools, and resuscitation techniques.
(1) to 14 January 2008.
Chorley Magistrates Court
Mr. Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many court cases are due to be heard in the Chorley, South Ribble and Ormskirk magistrates courts; what steps he is taking to ensure that cases are heard expeditiously at those courts; and if he will make a statement. [177070]
Maria Eagle: The number of cases due to be heard in the south west Lancashire magistrates courts fluctuates day to day depending on the numbers of offences being prosecuted by the Crown. A general indicator of the volume of work proceeding through the courts at any one time is the number of trials due to be heard.
As at 21 December 2007, a total of 280 trials were listed to be heard at the three court sites in south west Lancashire. These trials were listed on trial dates up to and including April 2008. The 280 trials are made up of 108 trials to be heard at Chorley, 94 at Leyland, and 78 at Ormskirk.
Ensuring cases are progressed through the courts as quickly and efficiently as possible is a key objective for the staff in HMCS.
Courts: Interpreters
Mr. Malins: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how much was paid from the public purse to interpreters in the courts in the Greater London area in the most recent year for which figures are available. [178183]
Maria Eagle: The information requested is not collected for the Greater London area. This information could be provided at disproportionate cost only through the manual searching of individual court files.
Judges
Mr. Malins: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many (a) full-time and (b) deputy district judges there were in England and Wales in each of the last five years. [178112]
Maria Eagle: The number of district judges (DJ), including district judges (Magistrates' Courts) (DJ(MC)), and deputy district judges (DDJ), including deputy district judges (Magistrates' Courts) (DDJ(MC)), in post for the period 2004-08 is as follows:
| Number | ||||
| District Judges | Deputy District Judges | District Judges (Magistrates' Courts) | Deputy District Judges (Magistrates' Courts) | |
Offenders: Deportation
Mr. Byers: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many foreign nationals were given a custodial sentence followed by a recommendation for deportation in each of the last 10 years. [179144]
Mr. Hanson: Information on the numbers of foreign nationals who were given a custodial sentence followed by a recommendation for deportation is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
Personal Records
Mr. Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what (a) budget and (b) official facilities provision he has made for the review of the sharing and protection of personal information being led by Professor Mark Walport. [178950]
Mr. Wills: The independent review of data sharing has a budget of £25,000 excluding staff costs. Neither Richard Thomas nor Doctor Mark Walport receive any remuneration for undertaking this review.
The Ministry of Justice has provided office space, IT and communication facilities, and staff resources to support the review.
Mr. Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many full-time officials from his Department are working on the review of the sharing and protection of personal information being led by Professor Mark Walport. [178951]
Mr. Wills: Four full-time officials from my Department, including one who has been appointed but has not yet started, have been seconded to the review team.
Prisoner Escapes
Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many absconders there have been from HMP (a) Highdown and (b) Downview in each of the last 10 years. [178413]
Maria Eagle:
The number of incidents of prisoners absconding from (a)Highdown, and (b) Downview in each of the last 10 years where data have been
published is shown in the following table. Those published data are also available for all prisons at the following link:
| Number | ||
| HMP Highdown | HMP Downview | |
Prisoners
Jenny Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the maximum capacity is of each secure accommodation site to hold prisoners serving a life sentence; and if he will make a statement. [179096]
Mr. Hanson: The operational capacity for each establishment holding life sentenced prisoners is set out in the following table.
| Prison | Operational capacity( 1) |
| (1) As at 11 January 2008. (2) Denotes open prisons. | |
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