HL Deb 13 December 1985 vol 469 cc465-7

11.25 a.m.

Baroness Ewart-Biggs

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question standing in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps have been taken to improve conditions in the C1 Unit at Holloway prison prior to its resiting in purpose-built accommodation.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Glenarthur)

My Lords, a detailed assessment of the fabric of the C1 Unit has been made and preparation of a design brief for the interim improvements to be carried out is nearly complete. Interviews for the post of senior medical officer with responsibility for the medical management of the C1 Unit are due to take place early in January.

Baroness Ewart-Biggs

My Lords, I should like to thank the Minister for that Answer and also for the personal concern which I know he has shown on this subject. Notwithstanding that, would he not agree that the present situation in the C1 Unit is both intolerable and critical? Is he aware that in November alone there were six cases of self-mutilation, two major fires and many floodings brought about by the disturbed inmates? Would he not agree that the conditions are inhumane for the prisoners and are such that it is impossible for the prison officers to carry out their duties? Would he take note of the recommendations made by the Prison Officers' Association in the very good report they have just brought out?

Lord Glenarthur

Yes, my Lords. Progress is being made but one simply does not achieve results overnight: they have to be planned carefully. With regard to the interim improvements, we have been looking in detail at the practical steps and in particular at improvements to the fabric and the replacement of potentially dangerous fittings, together with the provision of more space for association, improvements to the lighting and things like that. But your Lordships will understand that it has been necessary to assess the condition of the fabric in some detail before planning the changes which can be if real improvements are to be achieved. This is being done, bearing in mind the fact that we have said that we shall build a new unit. I have read the report from the Prison Officers' Association, and many of their concerns, especially those expressed in the press release, are being met.

Lord Elwyn-Jones

My Lords, can the noble Lord say why the Prison Officers' Association was not involved in the negotiations about this matter? It is disturbing to read that they were not. After all, they have to handle these disordered prisoners in this most unfortunate place. They are, in a technical sense, detained there; but some on trial will no doubt be acquitted, bound over or whatever it may be. Will the Home Office in particular pay attention to the proposals that in the meantime the prisoners from the unit should be moved to specially adapted accommodation elsewhere in the prison, and above all that the cells should be altered so that the persons inside can be seen, in view of their dangerous and unhappy state?

Lord Glenarthur

My Lords, on the last two points put by the noble and learned Lord, as regards the alteration of cells so that the prisoners can be observed, that is a matter which is under detailed consideration, as I described to the noble Baroness. One cannot just knock down walls and hope that solves the problem because the effects could go rather further than that. So far as moving prisoners to another part of the prison is concerned, we are faced with a great many of the same types of problems. The fittings, and so on, in other parts of the prison which have been suggested as a possibility simply are not up to scratch.

Regarding the involvement of the Prison Officers' Association, there is of course very close liaison at Holloway between the association and the governor. The interesting thing is that the report they have come up with matches very nearly so many of the points that were brought out in the project committee's reports.

Lord Leatherland

My Lords, may I ask the Minister a simple question? What is the C1 Unit?

Lord Glenarthur

My Lords, the C1 Unit at Holloway is the special unit there for the psychiatrically-disturbed prisoners, both on remand and sentenced, who need the special care provided there.

Baroness Ewart-Biggs

My Lords, the Minister has spoken of assessment, but not much assessment is needed to safeguard the security of prisoners by changing the washbasins or the heating installations and surely these could have been carried out. May I ask whether they have indeed been carried out?

Lord Glenarthur

My Lords, they are being carried out but we need to assess precisely how it is to be done. It is in hand. The noble Baroness looks at me as though I were not doing anything about it but I can assure her that making the fittings safe, together with the lighting, plumbing, improved observation and the wall and floor coverings are all very much in hand.