HC Deb 11 July 1994 vol 246 cc412-3W
Ms Ruddock

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many locks and keys had to be replaced at Blakenhurst prison following the publication of a photograph of a bunch of prison keys inThe Birmingham Post;

(2) what was the cost of replacing the locks and keys at Blakenhurst prison following the publication of a photograph of a bunch of prison keys in The Birmingham Post.

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 Derek Lewis to Ms Joan Ruddock, dated 11 July 1994: The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Questions about replacing the keys and locks at Blakenhurst prison. 84 Class 1 locks were replaced together with keys and nib nuts as a result of the photograph in The Birmingham Post. 570 Class 3 A levers were relevered across the prison requiring 500 new keys. There was no cost to the Prison Service as the total cost of this replacement was met by United Kingdom Detention Services Limited.

Ms Ruddock

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions United Kingdom Detention Services Ltd. has notified his Department of behaviour by a member of staff at Blakenhurst prison which casts doubt on their fitness to perform the functions of a prison custody officer; what were the circumstances; and what action was taken in each case.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

[holding answer 4 July 1994]: 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 Derek Lewis to Ms Joan Ruddock, dated 11 July 1994: The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about how many occasions United Kingdom Detention Services Limited has notified his Department of behaviour by a member of staff at Blakenhurst prison which casts doubt on their fitness to perform the functions of a Prisoner Custody Officer (PCO); what were the circumstances; and what action was taken in each case. There have been six occasions where the behaviour of members of UKDS staff has led to their fitness as Prisoner Custody Officers being considered. The circumstances and action taken in each case is set out below:

  1. (1) Assault against a prisoner. The officer was dismissed and the PCO certificate revoked.
  2. (2) Criminal conviction for theft. The officer was dismissed and the PCO certificate revoked.
  3. (3) Collusion with prisoners to allow an assault on another prisoner. The officer was dismissed and the PCO certificate suspended. The Prison Service is considering representations from the officer.
  4. (4) Police investigation into criminal offence against prisoners. The officer has been suspended. The PCO certificate has also been suspended, the decision concerning revocation will not be taken until the outcome of the court action is known.
  5. (5) Insubordination to a senior officer. The officer was dismissed. The status of the PCO certificate is under consideration.
  6. (6) Resigned and the status of the PCO certificate is under consideration.

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