HC Deb 28 November 1994 vol 250 c506W
Dr. John Cunningham

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) on what grounds catering problems at Haverigg were explained in a "Prison Service News" release as a legacy of its origin as an RAF camp;

(2) what steps have been taken to improve the standard of food and hygiene in Haverigg prison following Judge Tumim's inspection report on 13 July;

(3) what steps he has taken to reduce the level of drug trafficking to Haverigg prison, as reported in Judge Tumim's report on 13 July;

(4) what further drugs offences have occurred at Haverigg prison since July; and what further precautions will be taken to address this problem.

Mr. Michael Forsyth

Responsibility for these matters 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 Dr. John Cunningham, dated 28 November 1994: The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Questions about Haverigg prison. Haverigg occupies a former Royal Air Force site. The dining rooms criticised in HM Chief Inspector of Prisons report were built by the Royal Air Force approximately 54 years ago. They are particularly difficult to clean, and new cleaning schedules for the kitchen and dining rooms have been drawn up and implemented. The kitchen is being fully refurbished. A complete refit was begun this summer and is to be completed next month. This has required the provision of a temporary mobile kitchen for food preparation. A new catering manager and catering staff have resulted in higher standards. Since July there have been 38 adjudications on prisoners charged with unauthorised possession of controlled drugs or articles containing traces of such drugs. Two visitors were arrested for the possession of such drugs. One was cautioned by the police and the other convicted by magistrates. Drug trafficking is being tackled by increasing searching of visitors, use of security information and searching of the prisoner population, grounds and buildings. Closed circuit television will be introduced in the visits room to deter trafficking there. We also have a programme of drug education and training for prisoners on reception, which emphasises the dangers of drug abuse and is followed by counselling, group work and introduction to a drug rehabilitation course. This is being developed using psychology staff and local volunteer groups.