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Prison Inspections: Wakefield and Manchester
Lord Mason of Barnsley asked Her Majesty's Government:
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.
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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.
Criminal Cases Review Commission
Earl Howe asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the undertaking given in 1997 by the then Home Secretary that the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) would be reviewed by the Home Office "at least every five years to examine critically both the justification for the body on policy grounds and its internal systems of financial management and control" (CCRC Management Statement paragraph 8.2) has been fulfilled; and, if so, when and with what conclusions. [HL597]
Baroness Scotland of Asthal: An interim review of the Criminal Cases Review Commission took place in January 2000. This review found no evidence to suggest that the CCRC was not managing its systems of control effectively, efficiently and economically. An assurance was provided to the departmental accounting officer that there were adequate and effective mechanisms in place for achieving good governance. The commission's accounting officer has also provided annual statements of systems assurance.
For small NDPBs like the Criminal Cases Review Commission, there is no longer a requirement to undertake reviews every five years, nor is a minimum period stipulated. The Cabinet Office has issued new guidance for departments on how to conduct reviews.
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These vary according to the size and remit of the NDPB concerned but generally will aim to ensure that the NDPB is delivering high quality services efficiently and effectively and fits appropriately into the department's overall delivery structure.
We are satisfied that the retention of the CCRC is justified and that the internal systems are satisfactory. The Home Office Select Committee is also satisfied that the CCRC is an effective organisation.
The management statement and financial memorandum are currently being reviewed and re-drafted and new versions will be published soon. These will reflect the new arrangements for reviews and will also incorporate other changes and amendments which have taken place in respect of the management and governance of NDPBs.
Earl Howe asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they consider that the Criminal Cases Review Commission is successfully fulfilling its remit; and in particular whether the time taken for it to process claims is satisfactory. [HL598]
Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The Government believe that the Criminal Cases Review Commission is successfully fulfilling its remit as an independent body investigating miscarriages of criminal justice in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The commission has won the confidence of its stakeholders and built a solid reputation for its impartiality and thoroughness.
In 80 per cent of cases the time taken to process applications is within weeks and is therefore satisfactory. The remaining cases are complex and require considerable case worker effort to complete, and the number of accumulated cases in this category means that the waiting times are longer than we would like. This is why the commission's priority is to reduce the remaining case accumulation.
HM Chief Inspectors of Prisons
Lord Acton asked Her Majesty's Government:
Baroness Scotland of Asthal: Since the office of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons was established in its current statutory form, the postholders have been as follows:
| Mr William Pearce | 1981–82 |
| Sir James Hennessey | 1982–87 |
| Sir Stephen Tumim | 1987–95 |
| Sir David Ramsbotham | 1995–01 |
The post is currently held by Anne Owers, CBE, who was appointed from 1 August 2001 for a term of five years.
A copy of the full terms of reference for HM Chief Inspector of Prisons is in the Library of the House.
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Ministry of Defence: Manpower
Lord Astor of Hever asked Her Majesty's Government:
What is the planned average number of whole-time equivalent service and civilian persons employed by the Ministry of Defence in each of the next three years. [HL283]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Bach): I refer the noble Lord to the Ministry of Defence report The Government's Expenditure Plans 2004–05—2005–06, copies of which are in the Library of the House. Table five of the report, on page 23, sets out the number of military staff currently employed within the Ministry of Defence and projected figures for the years 2004–05 and 2005–2006.
The MoD has not produced civilian manpower forecasts since introducing the new definition of civilian manpower at the end of July 2004. Forecasts of civilian staff numbers against the previous definition are also included in table five of the The Government's Expenditure Plans 2004–05—2005–06.
The White Paper published in July 2004, Delivering Security in a Changing World, sets out in paragraph 3.6, on page 12, the levels of manpower reductions that are expected and gives an indication of future manpower numbers within the Ministry of Defence. Details on how these reductions will be achieved for the RAF, including a redundancy package, were announced by my right honourable friend the Minister of State for Armed Forces on 9 December 2004 in another place and the requirement for limited redundancy in the Army by my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Defence on 16 December 2004 in another place. However, further work is required before exact details of the planned drawdowns are finalised. This work is being carried out as part of the department's normal annual planning process which is currently under-way.
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