HC Deb 04 April 1995 vol 257 cc1061-3W
Mr. Cox

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list(a) the official total cell capacity and (b) the inmate prison population in each prison in Northern Ireland on 24 March 1995. [17237]

Sir John Wheeler

The information requested is as follows:

Establishment Total cell capacity Number of prisoners
Her Majesty's Prison Belfast 413 293
Her Majesty's Prison Maghaberry 500 331
Her Majesty's Prison Magilligan 328 298
Her Majesty's Prison Maze 794 721
Her Majesty's Young Offenders Centre 295 198
Total 2,330 1,841

Dr. Lynne Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the amount of drugs and explosives that have been detected for each of the past five years as a result of strip searching of convicted and remand prisoners in(a)female and (b) male establishments. [18134]

Sir John Wheeler

Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Northern Ireland Prison Service under its chief executive, Mr. Alan Shannon. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

Letter from A. D. Shannon to Dr. Lynne Jones, dated 3 April 1995: The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has asked me to reply to your Parliamentary Question relating to finds during full searches in Northern Ireland Prison Service establishments. The information you requested in respect of female prisoners is set out below. Information in the form required in respect of male prisoners is unobtainable from records after 31 march 1993. Part (a):

Finds of drugs and explosives that have been detected for each of the past five years as a result of full searching of convicted and remand prisoners in female establishments:

  • 1.3.90–31.12.90: None
  • 1.1.91–31.12.91: None
  • 1.1.92–31.12.92: None
  • 1.1.93–31.12.93: None
  • 1.1.94–31.12.94: None
  • 1.1.95–28.2.95: None
Part (b): Finds of drugs and explosives that have been detected for each of the past five years as a result of full searching of convicted and remand prisoners in male establishments:
  • 1.3.90–31.12.90: There were 5 incidences of finds of drugs. Precise quantities are not recorded.
  • 1.1.91–31.12.91: There were 5 incidences of finds of drugs. Precise quantities are not recorded.
  • 1.1.92–31.12.92: There were 14 incidences of finds of drugs. Precise quantities are not recorded.
  • 1.1.93–31.3.93: There were 3 incidences of finds of drugs. Precise quantities are not recorded.
I hope this information is helpful.

Mr. Trend

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement about the launch of the Northern Ireland Prison Service as an executive agency of the Northern Ireland Office. [18766]

Sir John Wheeler

The Northern Ireland Prison Service was established as an executive agency on 1 April 1995. I have set a number of key performance targets for the agency to achieve in its first year. These are as followsTo ensure 100 per cent. security for prisoners in high and top risk categories. To ensure at least 99.5 per cent. security for prisoners in medium and low risk categories. To ensure that the number of significant breaches of order and control does not exceed 159, this being the average for the previous three years. This figure will also form the baseline for future years. To increase the proportion of prisoner places with access to sanitation at all times of the day and night from 70 per cent. to 80 per cent. To increase the amount of time available for vocational training and occupational services from four hours per day to five hours and for education from 4.5 hours per day to six hours. To devise a system of regime monitoring and set baselines for each establishment. To implement the following programme to improve further the links between prisoners and their families: publishing a visitors charter approved by the Northern Ireland charter unit for HMP Magilligan and HM YOC Hydebank Wood; extending the use of payphones to all establishments; and opening additional visiting accommodation at HMP Maghaberry To offer all eligible prisoners at HM Magilligan and HMP Maghaberry a sentence plan and to achieve a 50 per cent. uptake; To ensure that the average annual cost per prisoner place does not exceed £73,122.

Copies of the framework document which sets out the terms within which the agency will operate will be placed in the Library, along with its first corporate and business plan.

Forward to