HC Deb 13 April 1999 vol 329 cc8-9W
Mr. Beith

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) assaults on staff by inmates, including those resulting in staff being referred for medical treatment and those leading to criminal charges, (b) assaults on trainees by other trainees and (c) incidents of concerted indiscipline, there have been by young persons at the Medway Secure Training Centre since his answer of 9 November 1999, Official Report, column 43; and if he will make a statement. [79427]

Mr. Boateng

In the period from 9 November to end February, the contractor has recorded a total of 18 assaults on staff by trainees. All staff involved were seen by medical staff as a matter of course. 17 assaults on trainees by other trainees have been recorded. None of the incidents led to criminal charges. Two incidents of concerted indiscipline have been recorded.

Mr. Beith

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many trainees there currently are at the Medway Secure Training Centre. [79377]

Mr. Boateng

As of 31 March, there were 30 young people at the Medway Secure Training Centre.

Mr. Beith

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many staff have resigned or been dismissed from the Medway Secure Training Centre since his answer of 9 November 1998,Official Report, column 43; and if he will make a statement. [79428]

Mr. Boateng

There have been 10 resignations since 9 November, two of whom have since successfully applied for reinstatement.

Mr. Beith

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on progress on implementing at the Medway Secure Training Centre each of the recommendations of the Social Services Inspectorate report. [79376]

Mr. Boateng

Progress against the agreed action plan is being monitored closely. Measures have already been taken to address the most urgent problems including the introduction of a new staffing structure to strengthen management of the centre, and to improve operational procedures. A programme of refurbishment work is underway, and new staff have been recruited. The Social Services Inspectorate will undertake a further inspection shortly to evaluate progress against the action plan, and the effectiveness of the action already taken.

Mr. Beith

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the current number of staff at the Medway Secure Training Centre is the full complement. [79429]

Mr. Boateng

The current number of staff at Medway is 109.5. The agreed staff complement of 100.5 is subject to further review in the light of the Social Services Inspectorate report.

Mr. Beith

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if further contract payments have been reduced since his answer of 9 November 1998,Official Report, column 43, to reflect performance points accumulated in the recent periods at the Medway Secure Training Centre; and if he will make a statement. [79430]

Mr. Boateng

At the end of the second and third quarters, contract payments were reduced by £14,730 and £22,691 respectively, reflecting performance points accumulated by the contractor in those periods.