HC Deb 08 January 2002 vol 377 cc570-1W
Mr. Bercow

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on progress with the PSA target to limit the number of prison escapes. [24830]

Jane Kennedy

There have been no escapes from any Northern Ireland Prison Establishment during the period 1 April 2001–27 December 2001.

There have been three escapes involving medium/low risk prisoners during this period from external hospitals. To reduce the likelihood of further escapes the following action has been taken Trained prison staff are deployed to outside hospitals when it is necessary to produce prisoners for medical treatment. These staff are now given more detailed briefings. The procedures relating to the escorting of prisoners at outside hospitals have been reviewed and the operating instructions to officers have been revised. In consultation with the Commissioner for Nursing and Heads of Nursing in relevant hospitals we are carrying out a review to ensure that the maximum use of medical facilities in prisons is made and that hospital escorts are restricted to essential cases only. Prison security managers and hospital staff are reviewing the physical security of wards used for accommodating prisoners.

The Key Target for high/top risk prisoners as set out in the Northern Ireland Prison Service Corporate and Business Plan is 100 per cent. security and this target is currently being met.

The Key Target for medium/low risk prisoners is 99.7 per cent. security and the current rate is 99.6 per cent. security, therefore the target is not currently being met.

Mr. Bercow

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on progress with the Public Service Agreement target to increase overall confidence in the criminal justice system in Northern Ireland. [24833]

Jane Kennedy

The Public Service Agreement target requires that an annual survey measure the level of confidence of both main parts of the community in the criminal justice system in Northern Ireland. The Community Attitudes Survey, which is conducted independently of the Northern Ireland Office, will provide baseline figures during this year for both sections of the community's level of confidence in the Northern Ireland criminal justice system.

Mr. Bercow

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on progress with the PSA target to reduce the rate of increase of overall crime. [24831]

Jane Kennedy

Baselines to monitor the target of a reduction in the rate of increase in overall crime are currently being established. Recorded crime figures for the current year, 2001–02, will be included in the calculation of the baseline to monitor this target. This baseline will be the average annual increase in crime from 1997–98 to 2001–02.

Mr. Bercow

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on progress with the Public Service Agreement target to secure ongoing efficiency savings in core departmental administration costs for each year of the planning period. [24829]

Jane Kennedy

The Northern Ireland Office's SR2000 PSA target 8 isTo secure ongoing efficiency savings of 3 per cent. in core departmental administration costs for each year of the planning period while maintaining levels of quality of service".

The Department is currently on course to meet this target.