§ Mr. CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the control and constraints that are permitted to be used on inmates in prisons in England and Wales; what records the prison authorities must keep114W of their use; what obligation there is for the governor of the prison to be informed immediately of the use of such restraints; and if he will make a statement. [111141]
§ Mr. Charles ClarkeThe various control and restraint techniques and the authority for their use on prisoners in England and Wales are contained in Prison Service Order 1600 (Use of Force) and Standing Order 13 (Health Matters), copies of which are in the Library. The Orders make clear that only reasonable force may ever be used and that on every occasion that it is a formal record must be made and kept. Whenever the use of force is planned it is authorised by the governor. However, officers may use force in immediate response to violent incidents when it is impractical to obtain the prior authority of the governor.