Prisoners: Work

Baroness Sharples Excerpts

Monday 8th December 2014 Lords Chamber

[Lord Faulks]

We are always concerned for the welfare of prison officers, who do a very fine job indeed. Benchmark reports incorporate staffing resources for escorting and patrolling activity areas. We are satisfied that prison officers are enabling people to do the work, which was the subject of the original Question. We are recruiting more prison officers but we are satisfied that they are doing an excellent job.

[Baroness Sharples (Con)]

How many prisons have writers in residence and would it not be helpful if there were more of them?

[Lord Faulks]

I am not able to give an answer as to the number of writers in residence, but I agree with my noble friend that literature and writers can contribute very considerably.

EU: Interpretation and Translation in Criminal Proceedings

Baroness Sharples Excerpts

Monday 9th July 2012 Lords Chamber

[Lord McNally]

I do not agree with that. As I said, there were problems at the beginning of this contract but the performance has improved dramatically. I presume that the original estimate of a £12 million saving in this first year will probably not be achieved. That is common sense but this is not a solution for just this year. It is a long-term solution that we hope will, once it is bedded down, give the service and quality required.

[Baroness Sharples]

Can my noble friend say how many languages each interpreter is expected to speak?

[Lord McNally]

No. However, there are a number of interpreters who speak more than one language. At the moment, there are about 1,500 interpreters under contract and they are equivalent to about 3,000 interpreter persons, which means that many of them speak two or more languages.

Prisoners: Transport

Baroness Sharples Excerpts

Tuesday 7th February 2012 Lords Chamber

[Lord McNally]

My Lords, I appreciate the constructive nature of that question. I hope the noble Baroness will appreciate that a formal investigation is under way into the circumstances of both escapes, and the reports and recommendations will determine what further action may be required. A wider review is also under way into the procedures governing the escorting of prisoners outside of prisons, including the arrangements for transporting them. Her point about the categorisation of prisoners should, and I assume will be, part of that inquiry.

[Baroness Sharples]

Are the guards armed when they transport Category A prisoners?

[Lord McNally]

I cannot confirm that they are armed on all occasions, but there is an assessment of risk for Category A prisoners. The use of guns in one of these escapes is extremely worrying, but it does not happen every time. That is another thing that the inquiry will look into and report back on.

Prisons: HM Young Offender Institution Feltham

Baroness Sharples Excerpts

Monday 5th December 2011 Lords Chamber

[Lord McNally]

My Lords, I am not aware that that practice is still going on. However, I shall investigate the matter and write to the noble Lord. It is true that some late arrivals are due to the fact that courts can sit until eight o’clock and travel time often depends on the traffic. Between the end of a case and departure from the court, post-court reports have to be prepared at the sentencing court by the YOT concerned and this can also cause some delay. However, with regard to the point that the noble Lord raises, I shall simply have to investigate.

[Baroness Sharples]

Can my noble friend tell us the name of the contractor?

[Lord McNally]

I can indeed. Serco and Wincanton are the contractors.

Public Disorder: Restorative Justice

Baroness Sharples Excerpts

Wednesday 26th October 2011 Lords Chamber

[Lord McNally]

Initially there were three such schemes. There have been about 60 enquiries about restorative justice, and we are very keen to roll out the schemes as quickly as possible. In response to the recent riots, there have been elements of restorative justice in both London and Manchester. I assure the noble Baroness that it is an element of the criminal justice system that we are very eager to learn lessons from and to expand.

[Baroness Sharples]

Would the Minister tell us why the courts in Westminster have closed?

[Lord McNally]

I am taking a wild guess here. I think it is probably because we have opened a new Westminster court at the other end of town. I am trying to remember the name of the road, but just along from Baker Street—

Prisons and Young Offender Institutions: Education and Training

Baroness Sharples Excerpts

Monday 28th February 2011 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Sharples]

How many prisons have writers in residence?

[Lord McNally]

I am afraid that that is not in my briefing but I will write to the noble Baroness and put the information in the Library. It is important to engage prisoners of all ages into the concept of learning, and I am sure that a writer in residence will be a spur to that end.

Crime: Youth Crime and Antisocial Behaviour Commission

Baroness Sharples Excerpts

Monday 19th July 2010 Lords Chamber

[Lord Corbett of Castle Vale]

My Lords—

[Baroness Sharples]

Will my noble friend say whether ASBOs are on an increase or a decrease?

[Lord McNally]

The use of ASBOs is about steady but we are looking at whether they are effective. There is evidence that in certain cases they are useful. Certainly, ASBOs can be used to help where disturbances by youths cause great distress to a wide group in the community.