§ Lord Aveburyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they consider that the events at HM Prison Holloway, HM Prison Haslar and HM Prison Standford Hill concerning the triennial reviews of the board of visitors appointments at these prisons have any common elements; and, if so, what lessons are to be drawn from them. [HL1844]
§ Lord Bassam of BrightonThe circumstances surrounding the decisions by the Minister for Prisons and Probation and his predecessor not to re-appoint certain members of the boards of visitors at Holloway and Standford Hill prisons and Haslar holding centre were different and each was considered on its merits. Nevertheless, an independent review of the events at Holloway prison did conclude that lessons should be drawn from them and as a result changes were made to the triennial review process. More recently, the Prisons Ombudsman, who was asked to review events at Standford Hill prison, has made further recommendations for change to the triennial review process, as has Sir Peter Lloyd's Working Group on the Review of the Boards of Visitors. Their recommendations, which include the proposal that members who are not being re-appointed should be advised of the reasons and given the opportunity to appeal against the decision, will be given very careful consideration.