§ Mr. SheermanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will provide information on staffing cover at Whatton young offender institution between 1 October 1988 and 1989.
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§ Mr. Peter LloydTotal staff in post at Whatton at 1 October 1988 numbered 112, of whom 63 were officers (including senior and principal officers). At I October 1989 there were 116, of whom 65 were officers. Between these dates, total staffing levels varied between 111 and 118 and officer levels between 62 and 68.
§ Mr. SheermanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what action he is taking to tackle bullying and intimidation amongst inmates at Whatton young offender institution;
(2) what preparation and training has been given to staff at Whatton young offender institution to help them to cope with the increasing number of juveniles serving longer sentences and with previous convictions who have been allocated to Whatton since October 1988.
§ Mr. Peter LloydFollowing the introduction of the unified custodial sentence for young offenders last October, Whatton young offender institution now holds young adults aged 17 to 20 serving sentences of up to four months and juvenile offenders serving sentences of up to 12 months and there have been some control problems asociated with this population.
Regional staff have been working closely with the governor and his staff to develop the regime at Whatton. All staff have already been given training in communications, dealing with difficult inmates and resolving conflict. Further guidance on dealing with particular problems associated with the management and control of sentenced juvenile offenders is planned.
Violence and bullying in prison service establishments is regarded very seriously and every effort is made to combat it. Converting dormitory into cubicle accommodation can assist and three dormitories at Whatton have recently been converted.