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The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Stern on 2014-04-03.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the conclusion of Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Prisons in his recent report on HMP Belmarsh that the requirement in the operating standards for the Governor to visit the High Security Unit and the Special Security Unit once a week had not been met.

Lord Newby

1. The prisoner regime includes a programme to allow access to the library once a week for those not attending education. The implementation of New Ways of Working, which includes the introduction of a new Core Day, will increase the opportunity for prisoners to access the library.

2. All in use cells on the High Security Unit / Special Secure Unit are appropriately furnished in compliance with national guidelines, which are also included as part of the unit’s operating standards. The cells are also equipped to the specification required for accommodating Category A prisoners. The accommodation on the unit is inspected monthly, to ensure compliance and to maintain decency; this system is audited.

3. The Governor has a programme of visits throughout the establishment; this includes visits to the HSU / SSU. The requirement for a weekly visit is completed by the Governor or the Deputy Governor, and the visits will ensure that all prisoners and staff are frequently seen and any emerging issues are heard and noted. These visits are now recorded for audit and inspection purposes.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Stern on 2014-04-03.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the conclusion of Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Prisons in his recent report on HMP Belmarsh that there was no evidence that the quarterly health reviews of all prisoners in the High Security Unit and the Special Security Unit required by the operating standards had been carried out.

Lord Wallace of Saltaire

The HSU / SSU is visited daily by a nurse who will speak with every prisoner to establish whether there are any issues. The GP will visit the unit weekly (as a minimum). As part of the HMIP Action Plan that is being developed the Operating Standards are currently under review which will address the issue regarding quarterly reviews.

The reference in the report was regarding one prisoner who was seen with discipline staff present; the privacy and dignity of prisoners is taken very seriously within HMP Belmarsh, however this must be balanced against the risk that the individual poses to others. Prisoners will be seen without escorting staff unless the risk is deemed to be too high, this is an exceptional circumstance rather than the rule.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Baroness Stern on 2014-04-03.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the conclusion of Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Prisons in his report on HMP Pentonville that Home Office input on immigration matters relating to foreign prisoners was inadequate.

Lord Faulks

The Home Office and the National Offender Management Service work closely together to ensure that foreign national prisoners are identified, and where appropriate, removed from the country at the earliest opportunity. Regular discussions take place between Governors and Home Office officials to assess the level of immigration support required to achieve this.

Since the Chief Inspector’s report, Home Office resources at HMP Pentonville have been increased. Immigration Officers now attend the prison on a total of 30 days per month and intend to be present on every weekday. Since 29^th March they have also attended on Saturdays.

Immigration Officers hold induction and documentation interviews and hold regular general immigration surgeries.