§ John McDonnellTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of the staff employed in Brixton prison in each year since 1996 have formerly been members of the security services in Northern Ireland. [58280]
§ Hilary BennInformation on the earlier careers of prison staff is not held in the form required and would necessitate examining around 1,300 files, and interviewing several hundred staff, many of whom no longer work for the Prison Service. This could be done only at disproportionate cost.
§ John McDonnellTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action has been taken to ensure that the sabotage of cell bell alarm systems identified by the Chief Inspector of Prisons in his inspection of HMP Brixton on 26 to 29 June 2000 is not repeated. [58277]
1244W
§ Hilary BennNew procedures were put in place following the inspection to ensure the cell call bells remain in working order. The cell call system is checked daily by wing staff and night orderlies. No reports of a failure of the system have been reported since the new procedure was introduced.
§ John McDonnellTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what disciplinary action has been taken against those involved in the sabotage of cell bell alarm systems identified in the inspection by the Chief Inspector of Prisons of HMP Brixton on 26 to 29 June 2000. [58276]
§ Hilary BennDespite investigation, no member of staff has been identified as being responsible for sabotaging the cell call bell system at Brixton prison. It has not, therefore been possible to take any disciplinary action.
The Prison Service takes a very serious view of such matters and, should information come to light which is strong enough to support taking disciplinary action, this will be done.
§ John McDonnellTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the deaths of Irish citizens in Brixton prison since 1996. [58332]
§ Hilary BennI refer my hon. Friend to the reply my hon. Friend Minister of State, Home Office (Beverley Hughes) gave my hon. Friend, the Member for Kingston-upon-Hull, North (Mr. McNamara) on 21 May 2002,Official Report, column 268W, which explained that a review is to be conducted into the deaths of Irish prisoners at Brixton since 1998. There were no such deaths between 1996 and 1998.