§ Mr. Tony LloydTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what different types of medical qualification exist for prison staff involved in medical care of prisoners; and what is the minimum level of such personnel available at all times in prison.
§ Mr. MellorAll prison service establishments are served by one or more medical officers all of whom are registered medical practitioners. Many have psychiatric or other 205W special qualifications. Twenty-four hour medical cover is required and is achieved by a combination of daily attendance and an emergency "on call" rota.
Nursing services are provided by hospital officers (prison officers who specialise in health care) and civilian nurses. All the latter, and about 16 per cent. of hospital officers, have a recognised professional nursing qualification. Other hospital officers have received in-service training (currently of 24 weeks duration) in basic nursing techniques. The staffing levels and working patterns are conditioned by the size and function of individual establishments.
Average population of Cardiff remand centre and local prison: by type of prisoner 1979 to 1990 Remand prisoners Sentenced prisoners1 Non-criminal prisoners All prisoners Under 21 Adult Under 21 Adult Number Number Number Number Number Number 1979 Remand centre 44 — 40 — — 84 Local prison — 73 — 305 5 383 1980 Remand centre 46 — 48 — — 93 Local prison — 88 — 289 3 380 1981 Remand centre 61 — 48 — — 109 Local prison — 86 — 288 5 379 1982 Remand centre 63 — 48 — — 112 Local prison — 86 — 324 1 410 1983 Remand centre 52 — 35 — — 87 Local prison — 93 — 301 1 395 1984 Remand centre 49 — 38 — — 88 Local prison — 78 — 243 3 323 1985 Remand centre 51 — 47 — 1 98 Local prison — 128 — 245 1 375 1986 Remand centre 61 — 31 — — 92 Local prison — 113 — 296 2 410 1987 Remand centre 74 — 38 — — 113 Local prison — 97 — 328 1 427 1988 Remand centre 71 — 38 — — 107 Local prison — 100 — 320 3 422 1989 Remand centre 66 — 19 — — 85 Local prison — 102 — 291 2 394 19902 Remand centre 70 — 17 — — 87 Local prison — 117 — 245 2 364 1 Including fine defaulters. 2 31 January and 28 February.
§ Mr. MichaelTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the maximum number of prisoners accommodated at Cardiff prison at any point during each of the past 10 years and in the current year to date; and how many were(a) sentenced offenders, (b) remand prisoners and (c) young prisoners in each case.