Oral answer to question provided on Wednesday, 13 January 2010 in the House of Lords, by Lord Bach (Labour).

Prisons: Search and Restraint

Answer: My Lords, I start by saying what is probably obvious to Members of the House: unfortunately, but in the real world, the behaviour of some young people in custody is extremely challenging and can put their own safety and that of other young people and staff at serious risk. We have to be realistic about this. We have accepted the recommendation from the independent review of restraints that the nose distraction technique should be withdrawn from use in the under-18 estate. The technique has been withdrawn from secure training centres and will be withdrawn from young offender institutions once a suitable alternative is in place. The decision not to withdraw it prior to that is based on the need to have in place a technique that enables staff to deal quickly and effectively with incidents of violence by young people where they may be biting a member of staff or another young person.

This is an answer to the Oral question asked on Wednesday, 13 January 2010 by Baroness Stern (Crossbench).

Question: I thank the Minister for that reply. Does he agree that this report from the Council of Europe committee echoes what has been said in your Lordships’ House many times—that the deliberate infliction of pain as a method of controlling young people in custody is unacceptable? Does he recall that in December 2008 the Government said that the technique of inflicting pain on the nose in prison institutions for juveniles would be replaced with a safer alternative within six months? That was 13 months ago. Can the Minister tell the House what has happened to that commitment and when he expects this dangerous practice to be stopped?

Secondary information

Type: Oral answer to question
Reference: 716 c501
Session: 2009-10
Chamber / Committee: House of Lords chamber
Subjects: Body searches Pain Young offenders Restraint techniques Youth custody European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment
Link: View this Oral answer to question on www.publications.parliament.uk