HC Deb 20 March 2000 vol 346 cc460-1W
Jackie Ballard

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the current prisoner population at HMP Forest Bank; when it will reach capacity; what is the current staff/prisoner ratio; what is the expected staff/prisoner ratio at full capacity; how many prisoner custody officers and managers have transferred(a) from HMP Blakenhurst, (b) other privately run prisons and (c) the Prison Service; what incidents have been reported at the establishment since it opened; what amounts have been calculated for financial penalties for contract failures to date; and if he will list the reasons for financial penalties being imposed so far. [114761]

Mr. Boateng

As at 14 March the prisoner population at Forest Bank prison and young offender institution was 420. It is due to reach full capacity on 11 May this year. The current staff/prisoner ratio is one member of staff to 1.27 prisoners and the expected staff/prisoner ratio at full capacity is one member of staff to 2.29 prisoners.

The details requested about the number of custody officers and managers who transferred to Forest Bank from other prisons are given in the table. Incidents which have occurred at Forest Bank are detailed in the table.

The imposition of financial penalties does not start until the prison reaches full capacity on 11 May; therefore, no financial penalties have yet been calculated or imposed.

Prisoner custody officers and managers transferred to Her Majesty's Prison/Young Offenders Institution Forest Bank
Transferred from
(a) Her Majesty's Prison Blakenhurst
Managers 7
Senior Prisoner Custody Officers 5
Prisoner Custody Officers 5
(b) Other privately run prisons
Managers 10
Senior Prisoner Custody Officers 9
Prisoner Custody Officers 4
(c) The Prison Service
Managers 13
1 One of whom is on secondment
Incidents reported at Her Majesty's Prison/Young Offenders Institution Forest Bank to 14 March
Incident
Fights 3
Concerted indiscipline 2
Assaults on other prisoners 7
Assaults on staff 6
Fires in wastebins 2
Drug finds 3
Total 23