Written question asked by Lord Laird (Ulster Unionist Party), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord McNally (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 29 March 2011.

Prisons: Riots

Question: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord McNally on 9 March (WA 415), at what time the recent incident at Ford open prison started; when intervention commenced; why intervention was not started sooner; of what intervention consisted; and what buildings were destroyed at what cost.

Answer: Although events that may have contributed to the disturbance began before midnight on 31 December 2010, concerted indiscipline commenced at approximately 12.20 am on 1 January 2011. The intervention to resolve the incident commenced at 9.20 am, which was the point at which those commanding the incident assessed that intervention was possible without serious risk of injury to staff or prisoners. Intervention consisted of the deployment of staff trained in advanced control and restraint techniques, both from Ford and other establishments, and other national resources. Assistance was also provided by the police and fire services. Damage was caused to B Wing accommodation, the gym, chapel and the induction wing. Total cost of the damage including replacement buildings was approximately £2 million.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 7846; 726 c255WA
Session: 2010-12
Related items: Prisons: Riots
Tuesday, 26 April 2011
Written questions
House of Lords; Prisons: Riots
Wednesday, 9 March 2011
Written questions
House of Lords
Subjects: Costs Buildings Damage Civil disorder HMP Ford
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk