§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will list Her Majesty's prisons that have searching and checking X-ray machines that are non-operational;
(2) if he will list by Her Majesty's prison, those establishments that have searching and checking of (a) visitors and baggage and (b) parcels and items of mail by working X-ray machines.
§ Mrs. RumboldFollowing my right hon. Friend's statement on the report of the inquiry by Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons into the escape of two prisoners from HMP Brixton on 7 July 1991, three X-ray machines were supplied to HMP Belmarsh and five to HMP Brixton. Procurement action is currently being taken to provide machines for a further 21 establishments.
In both prisons equipment is being used to check visitors' baggage, parcels and small items of mail. Visitors themselves are not X-rayed for reasons of health and safety.
All of the machines at HMP Belmarsh are operational. Two of the five machines at Brixton are non-operational. One has proved to be surplus to requirements and is awaiting removal to another establishment; the other is awaiting the completion of building work prior to installation.
§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list for each high risk prison establishment in England and Wales, the results of the latest standard performance tests of the CCTV system.
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§ Mrs. RumboldOne of the recommendations of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons inquiry into the escape of two category A prisoners from HMP Brixton on 7 July 1991, was that an operational requirement be defined and a standard performance test be applied to the CCTV system at Brixton.
This is a complex task and although work is well underway it is not yet complete. When the final results are known, consideration will be given to applying the process to other prison establishments which have CCTV.
§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the result of his Department's latest review of security dogs at Her Majesty's prison establishments.
§ Mrs. RumboldIn his report on the escape of two high-risk category A inmates from, Brixton on 7 July, Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons recommended that the area manager should urgently inquire into the adequacy of the provision of dogs in the manner in which they are used. The review has been completed. the procedures in use confirmed, and an increase in the number of dog handlers agreed.