HC Deb 10 July 1996 vol 281 cc172-4W
Mr. Alex Carlile

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what is the selection procedure for the new commandant in charge of the high-intensity training centre, Colchester; [36206]

(2) what training is being given (a) to the commandant and (b) to other military staff at the young offender regime at Colchester; [36208]

(3) on what legal basis the commandant at the high-intensity training centre, Colchester will be allowed to conduct adjudications; [36210]

(4) how many military and Prison Service employees will be employed at the high-intensity training centre, Colchester; and what will be their duties. [36216]

Miss Widdecombe

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 Brian Landers to Mr. Alex Carlile, dated 10 July 1996:

The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Questions about staff issues at Colchester young offenders institution.The commandant will be appointed when the Prison Service is satisfied that he is competent to discharge the responsibilities of that post. The commandant is undertaking training planned by the Prison Service College both at the college and at prisons.Training for other military staff to be appointed to the young offender institution includes a three week programme designed and provided by the Prison Service College.The commandant as governor of Colchester young offender institution will conduct adjudications under the powers in the Young Offender Institution Rules. Staff at the young offender institution, in addition to the governor, will be:
  • a Prison Service governor grade 4, responsible for the day to day running of the institution;
  • a unit manager and two shift supervisors appointed from the military corrective training centre;
  • 16 prison officers, of whom eight will be from the Prison Service and the other eight appointed from the military corrective training centre;
  • a Prison Service administrative officer.
Mr. Carlile

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what will be the Prison Service title of the high-intensity centre, Colchester; [36207]

(2) when he plans to open the high-intensity training centre Colchester; [36209]

(3) what is the current estimated unit cost per place at (a) the high-intensity training centre, Colchester, (b) Thorn Cross and (c) Her Majesty's prison, Feltham; [36214]

(4) how much (a) has been and (b) will be paid to the Ministry of Defence for the use of premises at the military corrective centre at Colchester as a high-intensity prison; [36215]

(5) what arrangements will be made at the high-intensity training centres to ensure minimum security standards. [36220]

Miss Widdecombe

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 Brian Landers to Mr. Alex Carlile, dated 10 July 1996:

The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Questions about the high intensity training centre at Colchester.The formal title will be Her Majesty's Young Offender Institution Colchester. It will usually be known as Colchester young offender institution, and is expected to open in the autumn.The current estimated figures for annual cost per place are £28,700 for Colchester, £27,200 for the high intensity training programme at Thorn Cross young offender institution and £17,280 for Feltham.Nothing has yet been paid to the Ministry of Defence for accommodation. The cost to the Prison Service will be £101,000 per annum, in addition to which the Service will pay the actual cost of utilities and a contribution in lieu of rates.Colchester Young Offender Institution and the High Intensity Training Centre at Thorn Cross Young Offender Institution will comply with Prison Service security requirements for prisoners held in open conditions.
Mr. Carlile

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what arrangements will be made for the provision of through and after care at the high-intensity training centre, Colchester; [36212]

(2) how many hours out of cell will be provided to offenders at the high-intensity training centre, Colchester; and what will be the range of activities; [36217]

(3) how many (a) probation, (b) education and (c) psychology posts will be made available at the high-intensity training centre, Colchester; [36218]

(4) what the average term served at the high-intensity training centre, Colchester will be, and at what point of their sentence the offenders will be received. [36219]

Miss Widdecombe

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 Brian Landers to Mr. Alex Carlile, dated 10 July 1996:

The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent questions about facilities at Cochester young offenders institution.The staff to prisoner ratio will be higher than normal, with one personal officer to every two or three prisoners, and prisoners will benefit from the presence of a full time welfare officer in the military corrective training centre. The young offender institution will operate a sentence planning system in which a probation officer and the welfare officer will participate. The probation officer will spend one day a week at the institution.Prisoners at Colchester young offender institution will normally be out of their rooms from 7.00 am until 8.00 pm or 10.00 pm. Most of this time will be spent in purposeful activity including education, vocational training, physical education, first aid training, drill, and cleaning and tidying their kit or accommodation.Education will be provided by the military corrective training centre's two full-time education officers. The education branch of the Adjutant General's Corps at the Colchester garrison may also be used for prisoners identified with special educational needs.There will be no psychologists at Colchester but support will be available from the Prison Service area psychology unit at Highpoint prison.Prisoners will normally serve the last six months of their sentence at Colchester.