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To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps he is taking to ensure (a) that women prisoners have equal access to bail information and (b) that the information available is consistent and accurate.

Asked by

Joan Ruddock (Labour)

Answering body

Home Office

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

5 January 2004

Reference

142898; 416 c18W

House

House of Commons

Home Office

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what proportion of the budgets of HM Prison Service establishments holding females has been specifically dedicated to suicide prevention in each of the past 10 years. - Inc figures.

Asked by

Joan Ruddock (Labour)

Answering body

Home Office

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

4 December 2003

For answer on

5 January 2004

Answered on

5 January 2004

Joan Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of the budgets of HM Prison Service establishments holding females has been specifically dedicated to suicide prevention in each of the past 10 years. [142891] Paul Goggins: The Prison Service's efforts to reduce the numbers of self-inflicted deaths in prisons are supported by a number of broader strategies for which money is allocated at a national level. It is not, therefore possible to identify the resources that have been allocated to suicide prevention specifically. A proactive three-year programme to develop policies and practices to reduce prisoner suicide and manage self-harm in prisons commenced in April 2001. The main principles of the strategy apply across all types of prisons and prisoners whether male or female. An investment of over £21 million through the three-year programme is enabling physical improvements (now 75 per cent. complete) to be made at six `Safer Local' pilot sites, one of which is the women's prison and YOI Eastwood Park. At Eastwood Park where there is a centrally funded Project Manager, £1.5 million has been dedicated to Reception and the Healthcare Centre, while a further £1.5 million is being spent on installing safer cells (cells which contain specially designed furniture and fixtures which are manufactured and installed to make the attachment of ligatures very difficult). A targeted and separate suicide prevention and self-harm management strategy is being developed specifically for women prisoners. In addition £1 million from the Department of Health has been allocated to the Women's Estate to be spent on the recruitment of psychiatric nurses, and 11 out of the 17 prisons for women now have mental health in-reach facilities. Brockhill, Eastwood Park, Holloway, New Hall and Styal prisons were among the first establishments to have full-time, dedicated Suicide Prevention Co- ordinators (SPCs). All women's prisons now have a designated full-time or part-time SPC. All women's establishments deliver suicide awareness training to staff.

Date

5 January 2004

Reference

142891; 416 c13-4W

House

House of Commons

Home Office

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what proportion of the female prisoners who committed suicide had previously been identified as at risk through the use of the HM Prison Service form F2052SH in each of the past four years. - Including table.

Asked by

Joan Ruddock (Labour)

Answering body

Home Office

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

4 December 2003

For answer on

5 January 2004

Answered on

5 January 2004

Joan Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of the female prisoners who committed suicide had previously been identified as at risk through the use of the HM Prison Service form F2052SH in each of the past four years. [142897] Paul Goggins: All of the women who took their own lives in prison from 1 January 1999 up to 8 December 2003 had been on an open F2052SH (self-harm at risk form) at some point during their period of imprisonment. The number of these women who were on an open F2052SH at the times of their deaths is shown in the following table. _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Calendar year Number of female self- Number of female SIDs on an Proportion of female SIDs on an inflicted deaths (SIDs) 1 open F2052SH at the times of open F2052SH at the times of their deaths their deaths (per cent.) 1999 5 2 40 2000 8 3 38 2001 6 4 67 2002 9 3 33 20032 14 9 64 Total 42 21 50 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. 1 The Prison Service employs the term `self-inflicted death' rather than `suicide'. This includes all those deaths where it appears the person may have acted specifically to take his/her own life 2 To 8 December 2003 The general prison population, and the women's estate in particular, contains a very large number of prisoners exhibiting a combination of factors which raise their risk of suicide: these include psychiatric disorders, relationship problems, previous abuse and family background problems; and histories of self- harm, drug and alcohol abuse and homelessness. As women tend to be the primary carers in their families, concerns about child care arrangements and associated issues also come to the fore with imprisonment. Any member of staff who has cause for concern that a prisoner may be at-risk can open an F2052SH and it is mandatory to open an F2052SH following any incident of self-harm. The inherent vulnerability of many women in custody, combined with the high levels of self-harm in the women's estate, results in a very large number of women prisoners presenting themselves as requiring special care, and being made subject to F2052SH procedures. However, staff caring for women prisoners face exceptional difficulties in distinguishing between those women who are intensely vulnerable and those who may be actively suicidal. To address this issue, the F2052SH system is under review. The pilot of a replacement care planning system will begin in January 2004 at five establishments, one of which is the women's prison and YOI Low Newton. The potential replacement for the F2052SH aims to build on the successful aspects of the existing system, yet be more flexible and task teams of specially trained staff to assess the level of risk that at-risk prisoners present. In parallel with the review of the F2052SH, information booklets and posters to improve staff understanding of the issues surrounding self-harm have been widely distributed, and detailed guidance for staff on how to manage and care for prisoners who self-harm, as well as a video discussing self-harm, are under development.

Date

5 January 2004

Reference

142897; 416 c17-8W

House

House of Commons

Home Office

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans he has to survey the women's prison population to determine prisoners' home locations in order to facilitate resettlement. - Including ref to 8 December 2003, 415 c240W.

Asked by

Joan Ruddock (Labour)

Answering body

Home Office

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

5 January 2004

Reference

142887; 416 c16W

House

House of Commons

Home Office

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what counselling and support is available in women's prisons to assist prisoners who have been victims of (a) domestic violence and (b) sexual abuse.

Asked by

Joan Ruddock (Labour)

Answering body

Home Office

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

4 December 2003

For answer on

5 January 2004

Answered on

5 January 2004

Joan Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what counselling and support is available in women's prisons to assist prisoners who have been victims of (a) domestic violence and (b) sexual abuse. [142886] Paul Goggins: A survey carried out by the Prison Service in 2003 demonstrates that a wide range of support is given across the prison estate to women who report that they have been abused. This includes offering women individual support and/or counselling; the provision of advice and information and referral to appropriate outside agencies. Individual establishments work closely with local community agencies with specialist expertise in abuse issues. The support offered to individual women who report that they have suffered any kind of abuse and have asked for help, will be determined following a full assessment of their needs. The support offered varies between establishments and reflects local circumstances. The Prison Service is currently working with a small group of local practitioners, including both prison staff and voluntary agencies, to develop good practice principles so that consistency in the standard of support offered can be achieved. This work will be completed by March 2004 and will draw on a recently published literature review by Carol-Ann Hooper (2003), from the University of York on "Abuse, Interventions and Women in Prison". In addition, examples of specific work being done for women who are the victims of domestic violence include working to help women avoid going back into circumstances that are high risk for violence when they are released and the provision in many establishments of posters/helpline information supplied by local domestic violence networks.

Date

5 January 2004

Reference

142886; 416 c18W;416 c18-9W

House

House of Commons

Home Office

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what progress has been made in extending the First Night in Custody Project from HMP Holloway to all female prison establishments.

Asked by

Joan Ruddock (Labour)

Answering body

Home Office

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

5 January 2004

Reference

142896; 416 c16-7W

House

House of Commons

Home Office

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps have been taken to ensure that investigations into deaths in prison or police custody are (a) independent, (b) thorough, (c) in compliance with relevant mental health standards and (d) respond to the concerns of the families of the...

Asked by

Joan Ruddock (Labour)

Answering body

Home Office

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

4 December 2003

For answer on

5 January 2004

Answered on

5 January 2004

Joan Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps have been taken to ensure that investigations into deaths in prison or police custody are (a) independent, (b) thorough, (c) in compliance with relevant mental health standards and (d) respond to the concerns of the families of the deceased. [142885] Paul Goggins: An external team investigates all deaths in prison custody. Out of area investigations are recommended as good practice. A review of investigations into deaths in custody has resulted in some investigations being led by an investigator independent of the Prison Service or with the support of a multi- agency advisory panel. In two recent cases the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman has been commissioned to conduct an investigation and plans are in hand to transfer the function to him. Prison Service staff leading investigations into deaths in custody attend two training courses, the first covering investigations generally and the second dealing specifically with investigating deaths in custody. Two detailed and comprehensive Prison Service Orders (1300 "Investigations" and 1301 "Investigating death in custody") provide guidance and advice to ensure that investigations are thorough. Through its partnership with the Department of Health, the Prison Service is working to establish links locally and nationally with the National Institute Mental Health England (NIMHE) in implementing Standard Seven "Preventing Suicide" of the National Service Framework for Mental Health published in 1999. Learning lessons and changing practice as a result of the thorough investigations that follow a death in custody is a key factor in this framework. Investigators always offer to meet bereaved families and investigation reports are disclosed to families in consultation with the Coroner before the inquest. In order to provide greater insight and explanation for bereaved families investigators are now required to include families in the investigation process. Deaths in police custody are subject to investigation under the statutory complaints system set out in the Police Act 1996 and police forces voluntarily refer all such deaths to the Police Complaints Authority (PCA) to oversee the investigations undertaken. Under the provisions of the Police Reform Act 2002, a new police complaints system will be implemented on 1 April 2004. The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) will replace the Police Complaints Authority. Under the new system, all deaths in police custody which involve potential misconduct from a member of a police force must be referred to the IPCC, whether or not a complaint has been made. Depending on the circumstances of the case, the IPCC can investigate the incident using its own investigators, or it can choose to manage or supervise a police investigation. The IPCC and the police will have all the necessary powers and will be expected to conduct thorough investigations which comply with all relevant standards. Complainants and other interested persons-- including family members--will have the opportunity to participate in the conduct of an investigation and will have a right to be kept informed of its progress and outcome.

Date

5 January 2004

Reference

142885; 416 c10-1W

House

House of Commons

Home Office

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what proportion of female prison establishments has the capacity in the evenings and weekends to prescribe medications essential to detoxification. - Inc ref to 415 c622W, 11 December 2003.

Asked by

Joan Ruddock (Labour)

Answering body

Home Office

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

11 December 2003

Reference

415 c622W; 142894

House

House of Commons

Home Office

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what proportion of the female prison establishments have a psychiatrically qualified doctor on duty (a) during the working day, (b) during the evening and (c) on a 24 hour basis. - Inc ref to 415 c622W, 11 December 2003.

Asked by

Joan Ruddock (Labour)

Answering body

Home Office

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

11 December 2003

Reference

415 c622W; 142893

House

House of Commons

Home Office

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the estimated budget is (a) to provide mental health care to women prisoners and (b) for the Dangerous and Severe Personality Disorder programme (i) in total and (ii) per capita in 2003-04. - Inc ref to 415 c623, 11...

Asked by

Joan Ruddock (Labour)

Answering body

Home Office

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

11 December 2003

Reference

415 c622W; 142895

House

House of Commons

Home Office

What is the estimated cost of introducing drug testing in prisons in 1994-95 and each of the next five years; in which prisons drug testing schemes will be conducted; and what is timetable for introduction of drug testing in prisons. - Includes figure. (Holding answer 24 October 1994).

Asked by

Joan Ruddock (Labour)

Answering body

Home Office

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

3 November 1994

Reference

248 c1352-3W

House

House of Commons

Home Office

If he will specify, for each individual prison and department within the Prison Service agency, the exact benefits, financial or otherwise, which have accrued directly as a result of market testing and/or the contracting out of the management of The Wolds, Blakenhurst, Doncaster and Strangeways prisons, and any other market-testing...

Asked by

Joan Ruddock (Labour)

Answering body

Home Office

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

3 November 1994

Reference

248 c1349W

House

House of Commons

Home Office;Prison Service

If he will provide a breakdown of (a) staff posts by rank and (b) actual numbers in post at the following prisons The Wolds, Blakenhurst, Manchester and Doncaster at the latest available date. - Table given and text of letter from Derek Lewis of Prison Service Agency.

Asked by

Joan Ruddock (Labour)

Answering body

Home Office

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

3 November 1994

Reference

248 c1352W

House

House of Commons

Home Office

If IRA prisoners in Whitemoor prison have been permitted to make telephone calls of up to one hour's duration per month on telephones not limited to inland calls and various questions on administration at the prison and IRA prisoners. - (Holding answer 24 October 1994). Includes fact that copy of...

Asked by

Joan Ruddock (Labour)

Answering body

Home Office

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

1 November 1994

Reference

248 c1068W;248 c1070W

House

House of Commons

Home Office;Prison Service

If he will list incidents, giving in each case the date, type of incident with brief details, and the outcome, at Blakenhurst Prison since 22nd May 1993 to the latest available date. - Includes text of letter from Derek Lewis of the Prison Service Agency dated 31 October 1994 (holding...

Asked by

Joan Ruddock (Labour)

Answering body

Home Office

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

31 October 1994

Reference

248 c940-4W;248 c942-6W

House

House of Commons

Home Office;Prison Service

If he will list the incidents, giving in each case the date, type of incident with brief details, and the outcome, at Doncaster Prison since 20th June to the latest available date. - Text of letter from Derek Lewis of the Prison Service Agency dated 31 October 1994 (holding answer...

Asked by

Joan Ruddock (Labour)

Answering body

Home Office

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

31 October 1994

Reference

248 c938-40W;248 c940-2W

House

House of Commons

Home Office;Prison Service

What was the total cost (a) to the Prison Service and Blakenhurst Prison and Wolds Prison (b) to the contractors of disturbances at Doncaster Prison; whether default notices were served; and what financial penalties were applied. - Text of letter from Derek Lewis of the Prison Service Agency. - No...

Asked by

Joan Ruddock (Labour)

Answering body

Home Office

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

28 October 1994

Reference

248 c878W;248 c880W

House

House of Commons

Home Office;Prison Service

What is the number of occasions on which police officers have been called to Doncaster Prison since 20th June to the latest available date; and how many officers have been called on each occasion. - Text of letter from Derek Lewis of Prison Service Agency. - Including fact that police...

Asked by

Joan Ruddock (Labour)

Answering body

Home Office

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

28 October 1994

Reference

248 c878W;248 c880W

House

House of Commons

Home Office;Prison Service

What was the number of assaults (a) by prisoners on prisoners, (b) by prisoners on staff and (c) other assaults which took place in each prison in England and Wales each month of 1992 and 1993 and if he will list the number of assaults by prisoners on prisoners and...

Asked by

Joan Ruddock (Labour)

Answering body

Home Office

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

26 October 1994

Reference

248 c646W;248 c648W

House

House of Commons

Home Office;Prison Service

What security vetting prison officers and civilian staff engaged to work in prisons in England and Wales are subject to prior to appointment. - Text of letter from Derek Lewis of the Prison Service Agency.

Asked by

Joan Ruddock (Labour)

Answering body

Home Office

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

24 October 1994

Reference

248 c485-6W;248 c485W

House

House of Commons

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