§ Lord Christopherasked Her Majesty's Government:
Why prisoners at Blakenhurst prison first have to complete a general application form in order to receive a request and complaint form; and at how many other prisons this is the practice. [HL1401]
§ Lord Bassam of BrightonPrisoners at Blakenhurst and many other prisons complete an application for a request/complaint form to ensure a proper audit trail and monitoring of responses. It also provides an opportunity for wing staff to offer to resolve the matter immediately if possible. The Prison Service request/complaint procedures are currently under review, and this will include proposals to ensure all prisoners have unimpeded access to the requests/complaints system.
§ Lord Christopherasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether appeals to the chief executive against decisions in relation to complaints at Blakenhurst prison are in practice dealt with by the same person who dealt with initial complaints. [HL1402]
§ Lord Bassam of BrightonUnder the request/ complaint procedures, prisoners have a right of appeal against local decisions to the Prison Service area manager and these are dealt with at Prison Service headquarters. Prisoners at Blakenhurst may also appeal to the chief executive of UKDS, the contractor that manages the prison. These are not answered by the same person who dealt with the original complaint, although I am aware of an isolated instance in which this did happen in the absence of the chief executive and the director of the prison. UKDS assures me it has taken steps to ensure this will not happen again.