§ Mr. MudieTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Cayman Islands Government on the implementation of the HM Inspector of Prisons last report. [139992]
§ Mr. BattleHM Inspector of Prisons last reported on Northward Prison on Grand Cayman in 1994. Of his 34 recommendations, 25 have been implemented or are in the process of being implemented. Progress has been hampered by prison riots which resulted in the serious damage of the prison in September 2000. The Under-Secretary, Baroness Scotland discussed prison issues with the Government of the Cayman Islands during her visit in August 2000 and was able to see for herself the extent of the destruction. She stressed the urgency of the rebuilding programme, while reconfirming the logistical and financial difficulties involved. The current Chief Inspector of Prisons, Sir David Ramsbotham, will visit the Cayman Islands to conduct a baseline inspection in March 2001.