Woolf Report (Hansard, 18 October 1993)

§ Mr. Peter Lloyd

Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the director general of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

Letter from D. Lewis to Ms Joan Ruddock, dated 18 October 1993: The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the progress made on the recommendations of the Woolf Report and timetable for future implementation. You will know that Lord Chief Justice Woolf made twelve major recommendations and each of these have been a key priority for the Prison Service. A summary of the progress made is set out below.

Improve Security The Prisons Security Act is now in force. The long-term programme for refurbishing prisons to improve security standards is underway. Many of the recommendations from the Lakes Hadfield Report have now been implemented. Security audits have been instituted in prisons. X-ray machines have been installed in all prisons holding category A prisoners. Revised guidance on procedures for escorting prisoners has been distributed to all establishments. A new style escort chain is being trialled. The anti-bullying strategy for the Prison Service was launched in July of this year. A standardised intelligence system is now in place in every prison security department.

Improve co-operation between Services A Criminal Justice Consultative Council has been created. A Criminal Justice Liaison Committee has been set up in each of the 15 prison areas. The links between the Probation Service and the Prison Service are being strengthened with the development of contracts between governors and chief probation officers. Measures have been taken to reduce the use of remanding purely for psychiatric assessment. There has been an increase in the number of prisoners transferred as in-patients to hospital for the treatment of mental disorder.

Increase delegation and improve accountability From 1 April 1993 I have been personally responsible for the day to day management of the Prison Service. The Prison Service's Framework Document sets out our goals and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). The Service is given specific targets by Ministers every year in relation to each of the KPIs. Much greater delegation to governors has taken place this year with budgetary and personnel responsibilities already devolved. On 1 April 1994 governors of prison establishments will have a new contract which in essence is a specification detailing standards of service delivery. 135W The strategy for involving the private sector in managing some of our prisons is established with the Wolds and Blakenhurst being fully operational. Manchester has been market tested and further prisons will be named for future market testing.

Improve quality of jobs A Better Jobs Programme has been initiated throughout the Service. A comprehensive review of prison officer induction training and development training for existing staff has been undertaken. There has been significant progress in involving prison officers in suicide awareness, induction, sentence planning and personal officer schemes.

Recognise status and requirements of unconvicted prisoners A model regime for local prisons and remand centres was issued in November 1992. New guidance on prison bail schemes was issued in August 1992 and there has been an extension of bail schemes and hostel provision.

Provide active and relevant programmes There are now 500 NVQ schemes in place in establishments throughout England and Wales. This number is to be extended to 700 during the course of 1994. There are 180 construction industry training courses running in establishments throughout England and Wales. 80 prison establishments have now run pre-release courses. During the remainder of this year and into next year 48 establishments will have job search courses running with job clubs in 10 establishments. 15 establishments are running sex offender programmes and about 400 prisoners benefit from these programmes each year. All female establishments have received new regime guidance. Every establishment has received guidance on the nature and balance of regime activities. A review of personal officer schemes has been undertaken. Many establishments now offer anger management courses and cognitive skills programmes are currently being developed. The regime monitoring system which measures inmate activity has been extended and improved. In November 1992 an admissions guide on reception and induction arrangements was issued to all establishments. All prisoners who were sentenced to 4 years or more after October 1992, and sentenced category A prisoners now have sentenced plans prepared for them. By the end of 1993 sentenced planning will be extended to all newly sentenced prisoners serving one year or more. In October 1992 new guidance was issued for establishments holding juvenile offenders.

Provide Code of Standards The Prisons Board aims to approve a Code of Standards for the Prison Service by the end of 1993.

Table A
Persons sentenced at magistrates courts for all offences by month, type of offence and type of sentence England and Wales 1992¹
	Total sentenced	Custodial sentences	Non-custodial sentences
	Number	Percentage	Number	Percentage	Number	Percentage
Indictable offences
January	23,544	100	1,341	6	22,203	94
February	20,673	100	1,172	6	19,501	94
March	22,047	100	1,255	6	20,792	94
April	20,117	100	1,157	6	18,960	94
May	17,867	100	975	5	16,892	95
June	20,402	100	1,040	5	19,362	95
July	20,295	100	1,067	5	19,228	95
August	18,301	100	1,017	6	17,284	94
September	20,454	100	1,035	5	19,419	95
October	20,699	100	483	2	20,216	98
November	19,886	100	609	3	19,277	97
December	17,131	100	645	4	16,486	96

136W

Improve relationships with prisoners A prisoners' information pack has been issued. The Board of Visitors' role has changed with their responsibility for adjudications being removed. A Prison Ombudsman will be appointed. A series of measures has been taken to improve standards of diets and food distribution in establishments. A major research project has been commissioned to examine how racial incidents are recorded and dealt with. A model prisoner compact has been approved by the Board and will be issued to all establishments.

Provide access to sanitation During 1993–94 £17.5 million will be spent on simple sanitation schemes. This is in addition to other funding for refurbishment schemes. More than 80 per cent. of places now have access to sanitation.

End overcrowding Twelve new prisons have been opened since 1991 providing 6,994 places. Approval has recently been given for a further six new prisons.

Divide large wings into smaller units wherever possible Whenever major wing refurbishment schemes are considered the requirment to create smaller units is considered.

Develop community prisons Work has commenced on selecting suitable areas where the clustering of prisons can be piloted. The opportunities for prisoners to maintain their family ties has been improved with an increase in the frequency and flexibility of duration of visits; further extension of financially assisted visit schemnes is projected for early 1994; and the provision of cardphones has now been extended to all prisons. The Prison Service remains committed to the policies set out in the White Paper. Further progress will be made as quickly as possible.