Written question asked by Sadiq Khan (Labour) on Friday, 7 January 2011, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 11 January 2011. It was answered by Crispin Blunt (Conservative) on Monday, 17 January 2011 on behalf of the Ministry of Justice.

Prisons: Discipline

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice at what time Ministers in his Department were first informed of the disturbance at HM Prison Ford; and what steps Ministers took in response.

Answer: In line with the usual protocols when Gold Command is opened in response to an incident, my Private Office were informed first at approximately 3 am on Saturday 1 January. I was informed later in the morning when the incident escalated and received regular updates thereafter. I visited the Gold Command suite in London on the same day and also briefed the press. On the morning of 2 January I visited HMP Ford. My hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Justice was also informed of the incident.

Secondary information