§ Mr. BeithTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to address (i) the lack of female officers, (ii) the delays in the Lifer Management Unit at Prison Service Headquarters, (iii) the lack of a staff mess and (iv) the inadequacy of health care provision identified by the Chief Inspector of Prisons at HMYOI Castington.[16500]
§ Ms QuinThe Governor of Castington has submitted a draft action plan addressing all the recommendations made by Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons. This is being considered by the Prison Service Operational Director responsible for Castington and must be finalised within 30 working days after publication of the report.
217WOne female officer has already transferred to Castington and postings for two more female staff have been arranged to take place shortly.
A reorganisation of the Lifer Management Unit is taking place and they are working with the Crown Prosecution Service to reduce delays.
Staff at Castington can use the officers' mess facility at Acklington which is on the opposite side of the road.
The area healthcare advisor responsible for Castington has reviewed the healthcare service and his report will be completed by the end of November.