HC Deb 31 October 1994 vol 248 cc943-6W

ESCAPES

28 October 1993 After a visit, a prisoner charged with possession of drugs with intent to supply, escaped disguised as a visitor. He was recaptured on 10 November 1993.

5 December 1993 After a visit, a prisoner charged with robbery, escaped from the establishment disguised as a visitor. He was recaptured on 31 December 1993.

ESCAPES FROM ESCORTS

13 October 1993 An unsentenced adult prisoner charged with burglary and attempted burglary, escaped from custody at his father's funeral. He had been released from his handcuffs when he escaped. He was recaptured on 18 November 1993.

23 December 1993 A prisoner charged with child abduction, was admitted to Alexander Hospital in Redditch after having swallowed various items. At 0620 hrs, during a change over of escorting staff, the staff left the room to brief the staff coming on duty. The prisoner escaped by jumping from the window, which was about 20 feet above ground. He was recaptured on 27 December 1993.

15 March 1994 An unsentenced adult prisoner charged with threatening behaviour, escaped from escort by running off through the courtyard of Oldbury Magistrates' Court. He was recaptured on 30 March 1994.

MAJOR ASSAULTS

26 June 1993 A prisoner assaulted a police officer in the reception area, punching him on the head and body. The officer was treated in outside hospital.

21 July 1993 Two prisoners assaulted a custody officer and then punched a second custody officer who had gone to assist. No treatment was required.

8 September 1993 One prisoner was attacked by another prisoner using a pool cue. He was treated in the Health Care Centre.

24 September 1993 A prisoner attacked two custody officers striking one on the head rendering him unconscious. He was treated in outside hospital.

3 October 1993 A prisoner was punched in the face by another prisoner causing bruising to left eye socket. He was treated in the Health Care Centre.

3 October 1993 A prisoner was punched on the head by another prisoner causing bruising. He was treated in the Health Care Centre.

9 October 1993 Three prisoners threw a table and chair at a custody officer causing bruising to his body. He was treated in outside hospital.

9 October 1993 Several prisoners attacked a custody officer punching and kicking him causing bruising to his body. He was treated in outside hospital.

23 December 1993 A custody officer was headbutted and punched by a prisoner. He sustained a minor injury and no treatment required.

23 December 1993 A prisoner was attacked with a sharp implement by an unknown assailant. Treated in the Health Care Centre for lacerations.

16 January 1994 A prisoner was attacked by an unknown assailant causing injury to his face and jaw. He was treated in outside hospital.

28 February 1994 A prisoner was assaulted by several unknown assailants sustaining injury to his head and jaw. He was admitted to outside hospital for treatment.

30 May 1994 A prisoner was assaulted by three other prisoners. No injuries were sustained and no treatment was required.

29 June 1994 A prisoner was attached by other prisoners with a blunt instrument causing facial injuries. He was treated in outside hospital.

12 July 1994 A prisoner punched a custody officer in the face causing bruising. No treatment was required.

4 August 1994 A prisoner headbutted a custody officer who suffered slight concussion. He was treated in outside hospital.

13 August 1994 A prisoner punched a custody officer in the face causing a bleeding nose. No treatment was required.

13 August 1994 A prisoner headbutted a custody officer who sustained a split lip. No treatment was required.

9 September 1994 A prisoner assaulted two custody officers. No injuries were sustained.

DEATH OF PRISONER

19 September 1994 A civil prisoner charged with failing to pay community charge with a release date of 20 September 1994, was found collapsed in his cell. He was pronounced dead by the doctor; it is believed he died from a heart attack.

CONCERTED INDISCIPLINE

9 August 1993 Approximately 50 prisoners refused to return to their cells in protest about the food. The imminent transfer of prisoners to training prisons was also thought to have been an issue.

13 September 1993 At about 21.00 hours, 62 remand prisoners tagged a passive demonstration by refusing to return to their cells. They made a number of complaints but returned to their cells at 23.45 hours having received an undertaking that their grievances would be heard through the normal channels

20 September 1993 A large number of prisoners would not go to their cells at the end of the day. Finally, all were locked in their cells an hour later.

9 October 1993 Fourteen prisoners refused to leave the television room in protest. about the re-location of prisoners involved in assaults on staff which had occurred that day. The situation was resolved 1½ hours later when a prisoner was located in the Segregation Unit and the remaining prisoners returned to their cells.

31 December 1993 At lock up time in the evening, 35 prisoners from Houseblock 3 refused to return to their cells and passively waited for midnight. At 00.15 hours, all prisoners were in their cells.

10 February 1994 At about 21.30 hours, 80 unconvicted prisoners refused to lock up. The protest was about the evening meal they had received. Gradually, they returned to their cells without the use of force.

24 February 1994 At 15.00 hours, about 150 prisoners took control of Houseblock 3. Most of the staff withdrew, leaving 3 prison custody officers in the houseblock in possession of their keys. The staff were released by the prisoners 15 minutes later unharmed. A set of keys were taken by the prisoners. Negotiations continued throughout and during the evening prisoners began to return to their cells. All the prisoners were fed and locked up by 21.30 hours. The missing keys were recovered.

23 June 1994 At tea-time, 17 prisoners on C Spur of Brendan House refused to lock up. Following discussions, all had returned to their cells by 22.00 hours.

5 September 1994 About 25 prisoners refused their breakfast in protest about the forcible removal of a prisoner to court. There was a small cell fire and a minor assault on an officer. Staff spoke to prisoners and lunch was taken as normal.

ROOFTOP DEMONSTRATIONS

23 September 1993 At 1755 hrs, during exercise, an unsentenced adult prisoner gained access to the roof where he remained until 2000 hrs.

SeptemberAt 1655 hrs, during exercise, an unsentenced adult prisoner gained access to the Segregation Unit roof where he remained until 2045 hrs. He was protesting about being segregated.

KEY/LOCK COMPROMISE

17 June 1993 A photograph appeared in a local newspaper in which the keys of a member of staff were prominent. Although it was not thought that there had been a compromise, all Class 1 locks were replaced and all Class 3 locks relevered.

24 February 1994 A set of keys was forcibly removed from a member of staff through the act of concerted indiscipline of 24 February 1994. They were returned to another member of staff. Although it was not thought that they had been removed to be copied, they were sent for forensic testing.

TOOL/IMPLEMENT LOSS

1 October 1993 At 0800 hrs, a knife with a 4" blade was found to be missing from the kitchen. A full search of the prison took place and the knife was found in the toilet area of Houseblock 1.

MAJOR MISCELLANEOUS

16 August 1993 A prisoner was produced at Kidderminster Magistrates' Court. Police inadvertently released him after his appearance.

6 September 1993 A member of staff working in education misplaced a UHF radio set. A thorough search of the area was unsuccessful. Acting on information, the radio was found 45 minutes later. It is believed prisoners took it as a practical joke.

4 May 1994 A prisoner serving 5 years for attempted robbery with a release date of 1 August 1995, was being transferred to HMP Wymott when he cut his wrist with a blade. He had been strip searched prior to his transfer. First aid was administered by staff on the escort and further medical attention given on arrival at Wymott.

13 July 1994 A group of about 15 prisoners shouted abuse at staff and then lit 4 small fires. These were extinguished and the fire brigade attended. The incident lasted 30 minutes.

Drug Incidents
Date of Incident Type of Drug/Equipment How Found
13 July 1993 Pipes Cell search
14 July 1993 Not specified Cell search
17 July 1993 Cannabis Cell search
8 June 1993 Cannabis Search of inmate
Drug Incidents
Date of Incident Type of Drug/Equipment How Found
10 June 1993 Cannabis Cell search
22 June 1993 Cannabis Search of inmate
1 July 1993 Cannabis Observation
21 August 1993 Syringe Not specified
30 August 1993 Heroin Wing search
4 September 1993 Pipes Cell search
8 September 1994 Pipes Wing search
9 September 1993 Cannabis Search of inmate
17 September 1993 Cannabis Search of inmate
18 September 1993 Cannabis Cell search
19 September 1993 Pipes Not specified
23 September 1993 Cannabis Cell search
20 January 1994 Cocaine Cell search
22 March 1994 Cannabis Cell search
26 May 1994 Cannabis Cell search
30 May 1994 Cannabis Cell search
1 June 1994 Cannabis Search of inmate
2 June 1994 Cannabis Cell search
2 June 1994 Cannabis Wing search
2 June 1994 Cannabis Cell search
11 June 1994 Cannabis Cell search
11 June 1994 Cannabis Wing search
14 June 1994 Cannabis Cell search
19 June 1994 Cannabis Search of inmate
22 June 1994 Cannabis Cell search
10 July 1994 Cannabis Cell search
17 July 1994 Cannabis Cell search
25 July 1994 Syringe Cell search
11 August 1994 Cannabis Search of inmate
19 August 1994 Cannabis Search of inmate
20 August 1994 Cannabis Observation
21 September 1994 Cannabis Search of inmate
21 September 1994 Cannabis Cell search
23 September 1994 Cannabis Cell search
23 September 1994 Cannabis Cell search
Minor Incidents1 From 22–5–93 to 30–9–94: HMP Blakenhurst
Number
Attempted escape from escort 4
Abscond 1
Fail to return from temporary release 4
Minor assaults 104
Attempted suicides 9
Minor fires 23
Tool loss 5
Miscellaneous minor incidents 17
1 Minor incidents are not reported with the same detail as major incidents.