HL Deb 03 May 2001 vol 625 cc107-8WA
Lord Avebury

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What were the terms of reference of the inquiry which the Prisons Ombudsman was asked to conduct on the board of visitors at HM Prison Standford Hill; and what recommendations he made. [HL 1843]

Lord Bassam of Brighton

My right honourable friend the Minister responsible for prisons and probation asked Stephen Shaw to carry out an urgent investigation into all matters relating to complaints against two members of the board of visitors at Standford Hill prison, which should in particular:

  1. (a) encompass the relationship between the board of visitors (BV)/governor/area manager;
  2. (b) look at the circumstances leading to the disciplinary proceedings against two members of the board;
  3. (c) review the investigation by the board of visitors secretariat, into allegations made against the two members of the board;
  4. (d) make any recommendations.

Mr Shaw reported to my right honourable friend on 6 April. His conclusions were that:

  • Allegations made against members of the Prison Service could not be sustained;
  • Some matters could have been better handled by successive governors and the area manager, but none had acted beyond their powers;
  • There were significant flaws in the investigative process undertaken by the BoV secretariat and the proceedings had been protracted. But in other respects, the two members of the board subject to investigation had been treated with scrupulous fairness;
  • The board of visitors itself could not escape criticism for its conduct of affairs;
  • Both of the members being investigated have a case to answer;
  • Responsibility for conducting investigations should be removed from the Secretariat (as was proposed by the Secretariat to Sir Peter Lloyd's working group on BoV; and
  • The BoV discipline code needs to be revised.
  • Action is being taken on these recommendations.