Prisoners: Sanitation

Baroness Knight of Collingtree Excerpts

Wednesday 7th September 2011 Lords Chamber

[Lord McNally]

It is an unacceptable practice. I understand that the only time people are asked to use a removable bucket to slop out is if there is a breakdown in the system. I am assured that in no part of the prison estate do women have facilities other than in-cell facilities.

[Baroness Knight of Collingtree]

My Lords, could we be told who has to do this job, when it is necessary for it to be done, if prisoners do not do it?

[Lord McNally]

I am told that when it is necessary to carry out some slopping out it is done by a unit of prisoners. Individuals are not asked to slop out but, as happens in many prisons, it is part of the cleaning or other duties that a group is asked to do. It is done by prisoners. But I again emphasise that where there is in-cell provision and electronic provision, slopping out will take place only when there is a mechanical breakdown of one or other of the systems. When that happens I am told that most prisons use a cleaning squad of prisoners to carry out that job.