HMP Birmingham

Karl Turner Excerpts

Monday 19th December 2016 Commons Chamber

[Elizabeth Truss]

I will look at the issue that my hon. Friend raises.

[Karl Turner (Kingston upon Hull East) (Lab)]

I thank the Justice Secretary for the time she afforded me earlier to discuss the incident at HMP Hull at the weekend. She will know that Rob Nicholson, the Prison Officers Association rep in Hull, described the situation at the weekend as a

“powder keg...waiting to go off.”

The prison was put on lock down and was said to be on the brink of riot. Prison officers tell me that they are afraid to go to work. What can she do to assure the public and those prison officers that they are safe to go to work?

[Elizabeth Truss]

I have discussed with the head of the Prison Service the two specific incidents at Hull, which were dealt with. The issue is being dealt with across the board.