HC Deb 23 January 1995 vol 253 cc48-9W
Mr. Cox

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if it is the policy of his Department to instruct prison governors and chief officers to visit every area of the prison for which they are responsible on a daily basis.

Mr. Michael Forsyth

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 A. J. Butler to Mr. Tom Cox, dated 23 January 1995: The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question about instructions on managers visiting the areas for which they are responsible. Under Standing Order 3A, the governor exercises a close and constant supervision of the prison. All parts of the prison where prisoners are located, including the hospital, are visited and inspected daily by the governing governor or another of the establishment's governors. The remainder of the prison will be inspected by such other managers as the governor designates.