§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions in 1983 and so far in 1984 the minimum use of force tactical intervention squad has been used in penal establishments; and, in each case, what was the reason, the number of prisoners and officers involved, and the injuries, if any, sustained by prisoners and officers.
§ Mr. HurdThere have been three occasions on which MUFTI (minimum use of force, tactical intervention) teams have been deployed between 1 January 1983 and 5 July 1984. Only one involved direct physical contact between staff and prisoners.
On 20 May 1983, some 40 prison officers trained in MUFTI techniques were deployed to regain control of `B' and 'C' wings of Albany prison. There were some 70 prisoners located on each wing. Our records show that two prisoners and 17 officers were injured during the operation to regain control of the wings.
On 19 April 1984 at Aylesbury youth custody centre, 37 inmates refused to return to their cells after evening association. Eighteen officers equipped with MUFTI equipment were ordered to stand by but all the inmates returned peacefully to their cells by 10 pm. There were no injuries.
On 5 June 1984 at Hull prison, in '13' wing television room, 33 prisoners refused to return to their cells at approximately 9 pm. A team of officers equipped with MUFTI equipment stood by and the prisoners were told 483W that if they did not return they would be removed by staff. All the prisoners left the television room peacefully. There were no injuries.