HC Deb 17 July 2003 vol 409 cc60-1WS
The Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office (Jane Kennedy)

I have placed copies of the Northern Ireland Prison Service's Corporate and Business Plan for 2003–06 and the Annual Report and Accounts for 2002–03 in the Libraries of both Houses.

The Corporate and Business Plan contains Key Performance Targets I have set for the Service for 2003–04. These are:

  1. 1. 100 per cent. security for top and high risk prisoners.
  2. 2. 99.7 per cent. security for medium and low risk prisoners.
  3. 3. The number of staff assaulted by prisoners is less than a ratio of 5 per 100 prisoners.
  4. 4. The number of prisoners assaulted by prisoners is less than a ratio of 7.5 per 100 prisoners.
  5. 5. An average of at least 20 hours constructive activity per week for each sentenced prisoner.
  6. 6. An average of at least 12 hours constructive activity per week for each remand prisoner.
  7. 7. To ensure 82.5 per cent. of prisoners serving six months or more are working to a resettlement plan and that 95 per cent. of all lifers work to a resettlement plan, including preparation of the plan in the first six months from sentence.
  8. 8. Deliver at least 85 per cent. of the planned training days associated with the agreed corporate training priorities.
  9. 9. Reduce the average staff sickness days per head over the year to no more than 19 representing approximately a 30 per cent. reduction in sick absence over the year and an end of year figure equivalent to 14 days per annum per member of staff.
  10. 10. Ensure expenditure is within the budget allocated.
  11. 11. Lay the Annual Report and Audited Accounts before Parliament prior to the summer recess.
The Annual Report details that the Service met 8 out of its 11 key targets and 10 of their 16 development objectives with significant progress made against the other six.