§ Ms RuddockTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many inmates were involved in the incident at the Wolds remand centre on 11 and 12 June; how many staff were on duty at the time and how many extra staff were called in; what is the value of the damage done by inmates during the course of the incident; for what reason the emergency services were called; and if he will call for a detailed inquiry.
§ Mr. Peter LloydResponsibility for this matter has been delegated to the director general of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange a reply.
Letter from Mr. D. Lewis to Ms Joan Ruddock, dated 24 June 1993:
281WThe Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question asking about an incident at the Wolds Remand Prison on 11 th and 12th June.
49 prisoners, all in one unit, refused to return to their cells at lock-up on 11 June. 23 staff were on duty at the time. Contingency plans were put into operation, but for obvious reasons it is our policy not to give operational details of them for any establishment. It is standard procedure for emergency services to be alerted to an incident. The unit was quiet by 0015 and complete control was secured by 0135. The value of the damage caused by prisoners is put at £8,000. The Home Office controller, based at Wolds, monitors the contractor's performance and will provide a full report; the incident on 11 June does not merit a separate inquiry.