§ Mr. BattleTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has received a report on the young offender wing at HM prison, Leeds, from the deputy director-general of the prison service; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HurdI have now received the report which I asked the deputy director-general to prepare on the young offender wing at Leeds, with particular reference to the deaths of five young prisoners there in the past year. The report concludes that the deaths appear not to have been the result either of the way in which the prisoners were treated or of conditions on the wing, which are at least as good as those at comparable establishments. The report finds the prison service suicide prevention procedures are being complied with at Leeds prison, and argues that the situation would not be improved by simply removing the young prisoners at Leeds to another establishment. It does, however, make a number of specific recommendations aimed at preventing further fatalities. These include the installation of more sophisticated cell lighting to facilitate observation of inmates at night without disturbing them; the establishment of a suicide prevention management group at the prison; the training of more staff in suicide prevention awareness and techniques; the improvement of the reception area where newly arrived inmates are screened for suicide risk; and improved arrangements for communication between staff involved
Proved offences of gross personal violence to or assault on a prison officer committed at Lindholme prison: by type of offence and punishment awarded. 1986 and 1987. Number of offences Offence and year Total offences Cellular confinement Forfeiture of privileges Stoppage or reduction of earnings Exclusion from associated work Forfeiture of remission Total punishments Gross personal violence to prison officer 1986 — — — — — — — 1987 1 — — — — 1 1 Assault on prison officer 1986 2 1 1 1 1 2 6 1987 1 — — — — 1 1 Attempted gross personal violence to or assault on prison officer 1986 2 — — — — 2 2 1987 — — — — — — —