§ Sir Ivan LawrenceTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prison officers, or other prison staff, have been disciplined or dismissed as a result of being involved in the supply of drugs in prisons, for such recent years as figures are available; and whether criminal prosecutions were brought in such cases. [19760]
§ Miss Widdecombe[holding answer 13 March 1997]: 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. Pearson to Sir Ivan Lawrence, dated 17 March 1997:
The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question about how many prison officers, or other prison staff, have been disciplined or dismissed as a result of being involved in the supply of drugs in prisons, for such recent years as figures are available; and whether criminal prosecutions were brought in such cases.Since the introduction of the new Prison Service Code of Conduct and Discipline in July 1993(which required that the outcome of all disciplinary cases should be reported to Headquarters), centrally-held records show that no members of staff have been disciplined for involvement in the supply of drugs in prisons.However, in one case a member of staff was dismissed after he was found to be in possession of cannabis in the prison club. Three members of staff were dismissed as a result of criminal convictions involving possession of drugs, but these concerned incidents away from the prison. And, in a further two cases, members of staff resigned before any disciplinary action could be taken over allegations of illegal possession of drugs, again away from the prison.
§ Sir Ivan LawrenceTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many investigations have been carried out by the Prison Service Agency, since its inception, into allegations of the involvement of prison officers in the supply of drugs in prisons. [19762]
§ Miss Widdecombe[holding answer 13 March 1997]: 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. Pearson to Sir Ivan lawrence, dated 17 March 1997:
The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question about the number of investigations which have been carried out by the Prison Service Agency, since its inception, into allegations of the involvement of prison officers in the supply of drugs in prison.I regret that this information is not held centrally and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. However, any such allegations would be fully investigated and the appropriate action taken, including referral to the police.