§ Mr. MealeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) whether riot equipment was used by either prison staff or police during recent disturbances at Whatton young offenders institution;
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Population of Whatton young offender institutions on 31 December 1988: by offence and sentence length Number of inmates Offence group Up to 4 months Over 4 and up to 6 months Over 6 up to 12 months Total Whatton short sentence young offenders institution Violence against the person 16 1 — 17 Rape — — — — Other sexual offences — — — — Burglary 8 1 — 9 Robbery — — — — Theft, handling, fraud and forgery 19 — — 19 Drugs offences — — — — Other offences 23 2 — 25 Offence not recorded 8 — — 8 All offences 74 4 — 78 Whatton juvenile young offenders institution Violence against the person 2 4 8 14 Rape — — — — Other sexual offences — — — — Burglary 12 6 28 46 Robbery 2 1 2 5 Theft, handling, fraud and forgery 2 1 2 5 Drugs offences — — — — Other offences 6 3 7 16 Offence not recorded — — — — All offences 24 15 47 86 (2) if he will give details of the type of accommodation currently in use for all prisoners based at the Whatton young offenders institution;
(3) if he will give details of the age categories of all prisoners detained currently at the Whatton young offenders institution;
(4) who carries out night security patrols at Whatton young offenders institution;
(5) if he will give details of recent prison disturbances at the Whatton young offenders institution.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggOffenders committed to Whatton young offenders institution fall into two age categories: those aged 14 to 16 and those aged 17 to 20. These age groups are held in separate units, both comprising a mixture of dormitory and cubicular accommodation. In addition, there is a further unit containing a small number of cells. At night, the institution is staffed by a mixture of prison officers and night patrol officers.
On the night of 28 February/1 March, a short series of incidents occurred at the institution involving a small number of inmates in the younger age group. In one of the incidents, inmates in a dormitory damaged windows, fixtures and fittings. It was necessary for prison staff, using protective equipment, to remove the inmates from the dormitory. Two prison officers suffered bruising and nine inmates minor scratches and abrasions, two requiring stitches for cuts believed to have been caused by flying glass. No police officers were involved.
§ Mr. MealeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will supply details of sentences and crimes committed by all prisoners detained at the Whatton young offenders institution.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggThe latest readily available information is given in the table.