Prisons: In-cell Sanitation

Lord Ramsbotham Excerpts

Tuesday 12th October 2010 Lords Chamber

Asked by

[Lord Ramsbotham]

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their response to the finding of the report of the National Council for Independent Monitoring Boards that in some prison establishments the lack of in-cell sanitation means that slopping-out, officially ended in 1996, still continues.

[The Minister of State, Ministry of Justice (Lord McNally)]

My Lords, slopping-out should not occur in the 21st century. However, it is simply not possible to install in-cell sanitation in all parts of the accommodation at certain prisons and electronic unlocking is the best option for the provision of sanitation.

[Lord Ramsbotham]

My Lords, I thank the Minister for that reply but, as he knows, today 20,000 prisoners may have to defecate into a bucket, which will remain with them in their cell until they are let out from that cell. The electronic system, which was used as the justification for saying that the process had ended, does not work all the time—indeed, it is switched off during the day—and too many prisoners spend all day locked up in their cells. Can the Minister assure the House that something will be done to improve this disgraceful and uncivilised situation and will he undertake to report back to the House at regular intervals as to what improvements are being made?

[Lord McNally]

My Lords, I do not recognise the figure of 20,000—or was it 2,000? I thought that the noble Lord said 20,000.