§ Mrs. RocheTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what recruitment procedures were followed leading to the appointment of Sir Peter Woodward as the prisons ombudsman;
(2) what will be the remit and powers of the prisons ombudsman; and if he will publish his job description;
(3) how many staff will be appointed to the office of the prisons ombudsman;
(4) what training his Department will provide for the prisons ombudsman and his staff.
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Concerted Acts of Indiscipline 1993 1994 April May June July August September October November December January February March Total Acklington — — 1 — — — — — — 1 — — 2 Belmarsh 2 — — 1 — 1 — — — — — 3 7 Birmingham — 2 — — — — — — — — — — 2 Blakenhurst — — — — 1 2 2 — 1 — 2 — 8 Bristol — — 1 — — 1 — — — — — — 2 Bullingdon 6 — — — — — 2 — 1 — — 2 11
§ Mr. Peter LloydThe recruitment of the prisons ombudsman was conducted by the Civil Service Commission, using public advertisement and an executive search agency.
Sir Peter Woodhead will consider grievances from prisoners who have failed to obtain satisfaction from the Prison Service's internal complaints system, and he will, where necessary, make recommendations to the Director General of the Prison Service or to the Home Secretary. His full job description was published when the post was advertised and a copy is available in the Library.
The prisons ombudsman will be supported by 12 staff, including three assistant ombudsmen. An induction programme will be arranged to include visits to prisons and consultations with Prison Service staff.