§ Mr. Alex Carlileasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the present staffing establishment at Her Majesty's prison, Styal; how many staff of prison officer grade or above were on night duty there on 16-17 January; what was the corresponding number for the night of 31 December 1985–1 January 1986; and if he will make a statement.
274W
§ Mr. MellorThe staffing establishment is as follows:
Grade Authorised staffing level Staff in post (as at 1 January 1986) Governor Grade II 1 1 Governor Grade IV 1 1 Assistant Governor 4 3 Higher Executive Officer 1 1 Executive Officer 2 2 Clerical Officer 8½ 7½ Clerical Assistant ½ ½ Chaplain 1 1 Principal Sister 1 1 Senior Sister 2 2 Nursing Sister 8½ 6½ State Enrolled Nurse 3 3 Medical Officer ½ ½ Civilian Instructional Officer Grade III 6 6 Civilian Instructional Officer Grade IV 4 5 Typist 3½ 3½ Storeman 2 2 Assistant Storeman 1 1 Craftsman (Works) 15 15 Non-craftsman (Works) 2 — Stoker/Plant attendant 1 2 Driver (Civilian) 2 2 Farm Foreman Grade I 1 1 Estate Craftsman 2 — Estate Ordinary Worker — 2 Chief Officer II 1 1 Principal Officer 6 5 Senior Officer 14 12 Officer 88 76½ Prison Auxiliary Officer 4 4 Night Patrol Officer 18 17 Senior Officer PE Instructor 1 1 Officer PE Instructor 2 2 Chief Officer II (Works) 1 1 Principal Officer (Works) 2 2 Senior Trades Officer 2 1 Trades Officer 4 4 Senior Officer Caterer 1 1 Office Caterer 1 1 The authorised night manning levels are one senior officer, one officer and 11 night patrol officers. On the night of 16-17 January staff on duty comprised one senior officer, three officers and nine night patrol officers. On new years' eve the numbers were one senior officer, six officers and six night patrol officers.
§ Mr. Alex Carlileasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement about recent disturbances at Her Majesty's prisons Rudgate and Styal.
§ Mr. Soleyasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what disturbances took place at Her Majesty's prison Styal on the night of 31 December 1985; what further disturbances have taken place since then; and what action he proposes to take to prevent further disturbances;
(2) why no statement or press release was issued by his Department on the recent disturbances in Her Majesty's prison, Styal; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MellorBetween midnight and 2 am on 1 January, a number of inmates at Styal left their houses through the fire doors which set off the alarms. Staff were thus quickly aware of this and took the necessary action. No statement or press release was made: the incident was not re ported to headquarters until the deputy director general routinely visited Styal on 16 January, when he discussed the incident with the governor, the local branch of the Prison Officer's 275W Association, and the chairman of the board of visitors, as a result of which the regional director is considering whether any further action is necessary.
There has been no recent disturbance at Rudgate.