§ Mrs. Curtis-ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures are in place to tackle bullying of prisoners by other inmates. [149101]
§ Paul GogginsPrison Service Order 1702, Anti-Bullying Strategy, contains mandatory instructions to Governors to ensure that all prisons implement and maintain locally an appropriate, advertised anti-bullying strategy. The strategy must aim to prevent bullying behaviour and to address it constructively where it occurs.
It is mandatory for establishments to appoint an anti-bullying co-ordinator, who is responsible for monitoring that the nature and extent of bullying in the prison. They examine a number of factors including the number of requests to move wing and the number of applications to the Independent Monitoring Board, number of assaults. They are obliged to complete at least once every two years.
1441WUnless the prison is particularly small, it is expected that establishments set up a multi-disciplinary anti-bullying committee that meets regularly and makes links with other related areas such as suicide prevention or The Incentives and Earned Privileges Scheme.
Reducing violence, in all its forms, is fundamental to the objectives of the Prison Service. By constructively and consistently taking action to prevent violence and promote fairness and decency, prisons can offer a structured environment in which to influence future behaviour, encourage positive communication and develop social skills that assist offenders with rehabilitation. Further, maintaining a safe environment reduces stress and anxiety, and promotes individual, organisational and public confidence.
Problems of inter-prisoner violence and bullying are being addressed through development of a Service-wide Violence Reduction Strategy. By the summer of 2004, each prison will have in place a local violence reduction strategy appropriate to needs. Intranet toolkits will help establishments to develop practical solutions, including environmental and physical measures as well as alternatives for behaviour management. Specific issues such as racism, substance misuse, violence, verbal abuse and various types of bullying will be covered with good practice examples. A whole prison approach will be encouraged, with the aim of reducing violence and fear of violence. A focus on personal safety, supporting victims, and repairing the physical and emotional harm caused by violence or abuse, will link closely with the suicide prevention strategy.
§ Mrs. Curtis-ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the cost is of keeping someone in prison per day. [148886]
§ Paul GogginsThe average cost per day of each prisoner during the financial year 2002–03 was £99.36. This figure covers the whole of the prison system, including public sector and contracted prisons, as well as an element of headquarters overheads.
The cost per prisoner varies according to the security of each prison establishment and other factors such as the gender and age of the prisoner. The range of daily costs for 2002–03 was £119 to £54, with the highest being for the High Security estate and the lowest for the Category C estate, which tends to hold a more settled population.