Haverigg and Lindholme Prisons (Hansard, 28 July 1988)

§ Mr. Hurd

I have today received a report of the inquiries conducted by Mr. Gordon Lakes CB MC, the deputy director general of the prison service, into the serious disturbances at HMP Haverigg on 5–6 June 1988 and at HMP Lindholme on 15–16 July 1988.

Mr. Lakes has examined the circumstances and analysed the issues arising from both incidents and finds that there are no simple explanations for what occurred. In both cases small numbers of determined troublemakers were able to exploit opportunities to create serious unrest and cause damage to property.

At Haverigg 12 members of staff sustained minor injuries and three prisoners were injured, none seriously. At Lindholme no violence was directed at the staff and none was injured but 18 prisoners reported minor injuries.

Mr. Lakes has made a large number of detailed recommendations for remedial action at both establishments including local operational improvements, enhanced contingency plans and revised security procedures. He has also identified a number of wider issues which require further review including physical aids to internal control in converted camps, refined allocation procedures and improved monitoring of prisoner populations.

The prison service has already acted upon a number of the recommendations and I shall ensure that all lessons to be learnt are promulgated through line management channels without delay.

I will place a summary of the results of these inquiries in the Library in due course.