HL Deb 19 January 2005 vol 668 cc104-5WA
Lord Mason of Barnsley

asked Her Majesty'sGovernment:

What recent inspections have taken place at HM Wakefield and HM Manchester prisons. [HL544]

Baroness Scotland of Asthal

Wakefield prison was last inspected by Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons (HMCIP) between 13 and 17 October 2003. The report of that inspection was published on 25 March 2004. Manchester prison was last inspected by HMCIP between 5 and 9 July 2004. The report of that inspection was published on 16 November 2004.

Lord Mason of Barnsley

asked Her Majesty's Government:

When the last inspection at HM Wakefield prison took place which resulted in a report measuring the quality of prisoners' lives; what the key recommendations were; and what action has been taken. [HL545]

Baroness Scotland of Asthal

As part of the inspection of Wakefield in October 2003, the inspection team examined the conditions and treatment of prisoners, using their usual four tests of a healthy prison, which are safety, respect, purposeful activity and resettlement.

The report of the inspection was published on 25 March 2004 and contained nine main recommendations along with a further 73 recommendations. Seventeen areas of good practice were identified. In line with the existing protocol, an action plan is in place to respond to the recommendations made by the inspection team.

Many of the recommendations have been acted upon. These include the provision of adequate first night procedures, a new induction programme reduced to eight weeks, the use of handcuffs only where a risk assessment deems it appropriate, closed circuit television coverage and regular management checks in the segregation unit, staff interaction with prisoners increased and monitored, action to help aged or infirm prisoners, and physical education provision and facilities increased.

Lord Mason of Barnsley

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What were the results of audits of security standards in HM Wakefield and HM Manchester prisons; and whether they revealed the need to maintain the present high security standards and the full complement of prison staff at these prisons.[HL546]

Baroness Scotland of Asthal

The result of the audit that took place at Manchester in September 2004 was 95 per cent compliance with the Prison Service security standard. The result of the audit that took place at Wakefield in June 2004 was 92 per cent compliance with the same standard. The audits measure compliance with a standard range of key mandatory security practices and processes. The target level for compliance in high security prisons is 90 per cent and any non-compliances found are addressed immediately through a mandatory action planning process. There are no grounds for reducing high security standards in either prison and the complement of staff will reflect this.