News16-11-03

News

Week ending 16th November 2003

DAVID DAVIS: BRING BACK HANGING
The new Conservative shadow Home Secretary tells all to the Sunday Telegraph.
BBC News Online 16/11/03 http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/3274245.stm
E-Politix 16/11/03 Link
Telegraph 16/11/03 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2003/11/16/ncrim116.xml
Telegraph 16/11/03 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=%2Fnews%2F2003%2F11%2F

PRISONER DIES A WEEK AFTER HANGING
A prisoner who was found hanging at Wandsworth prison a week ago has died.
BBC News Online 16/11/03 http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/3274841.stm

TAGGING TO REDUCE REOFFENDING IN SCOTLAND
Scottish prisoners are to be tagged on release to prevent reoffending.
BBC News Online 16/11/03 http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/3273685.stm
Times 16/11/03 http://www.timesonline.co.uk/printFriendly/0,,2-1506-896765,00.html

PRISON LEAGUE TABLES
The latest league tables have been published, and an ex-prisoner reflects in The Guardian.
Guardian 15/11/03 http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,3604,1085675,00.html
Guardian 15/11/03 http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,3604,1085608,00.html

WOMAN FOUND HANGING
A 35 year-old prisoner was found hanging at Durham prison.
BBC News Online 14/11/03 http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/wear/3270169.stm
BBC News Online 16/11/03 http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/wear/3275095.stm

DARTMOOR STILL FACES PRIVATISATION
The Devon prison has improved, but still faces privatisation.
BBC News Online 14/11/03 http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/devon/3270959.stm
Independent 16/11/03 http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/health/story.jsp?story=464201
Independent 16/11/03 http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/health/story.jsp?story=464172

"SCREWS" APPEAR IN 1901 CENSUS
Prisoners replaced "prison officer" with "screw" when inputting the 1901 census.
BBC News Online 14/11/03 http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/3270377.stm
Times 14/11/03 http://www.timesonline.co.uk/printFriendly/0,,1-2-893703,00.html
Western Mail 15/11/03 http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/0600uk/content_objectid=13626336

PRISONER ON SUICIDE WATCH FOUND HANGING
A 26 year-old prisoner was found hanging at Bedford prison.
BBC News Online 13/11/03 http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/beds/bucks/herts/3268857.stm

CHIEF INSPECTOR: "WE SHOULD CARE ABOUT OUR PRISONS"
An article detailing Anne Owers' speech to the British Institute of Human Rights
Independent 13/11/03 http://argument.independent.co.uk/podium/story.jsp?story=463162

DISAPPEARANCE OF YOUNG OFFENDER LEADS TO CRITICISM
A young offender who failed to return to a YOI slipped through the net of police and authorities.
BBC News Online 12/11/03 http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/kent/3265599.stm

CALL FOR PUBLIC INQUIRY INTO DEATH OF JOSEPH SCHOLES
Inquest and Nacro are supporting calls from the family of the 16 year-old who died at Stoke Heath YOI.
BBC News Online 10/11/03 http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/shropshire/3259061.stm
Guardian 12/11/03 http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,3604,1083031,00.html
Independent 12/11/03 http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/crime/story.jsp?story=462893
Times 12/11/03 http://www.timesonline.co.uk/printFriendly/0,,1-210-891084,00.html
Young People Now 12/11/03 http://www.ypnmagazine.com/news/index.cfm?fuseaction=printerFriendly&ID

YJB COMMISSIONS LESS SECURE BEDS
The Youth Justice Board is reducing secure provision, following an announcement at their conference.
Community Care 11/11/03 http://www.communitycare.co.uk/articles/article.asp?liarticleid=42807
Guardian 11/11/03 http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,3604,1082335,00.html

ABSCONDER RECAPTURED
A man who absconded from a Gloucestershire prison has been recaptured in Devon.
Ananova 11/11/03 http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_837591.html
BBC News Online 11/11/03 http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/devon/3259065.stm

PRISONERS TRANSPORTED IN MERCEDES CARS
Prisoners at London prisons are being moved around in luxury cars.
BBC News Online 11/11/03 http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/3261227.stm
Mirror 11/11/03 http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/allnews/page.cfm?objectid=13611536&method=full
Scotsman 12/11/03 http://www.news.scotsman.com/uk.cfm?id=1246232003

HOOCH BEING MADE FROM FRUIT
Access to fruit is being reduced at a Suffolk prison after 'hooch' production was discovered.
Ananova 14/11/03 http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_838458.html
BBC News Online 10/11/03 http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/suffolk/3258749.stm

ESCAPEE SENTENCED
A man who escaped to be with his daughter as she underwent an operation has been jailed.
BBC News Online 10/11/03 http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/leicestershire/3258739.stm

'SELF PORTRAIT OF A TEENAGE KILLER'
A girl who killed at 17 is profiled in The Guardian.
Guardian 10/11/03 http://www.guardian.co.uk/women/story/0,3604,1081391,00.html

Parliament

Parliament is expected to prorogue on Thursday in advance of the Queen's Speech on 26th November.

PQ: ADHD AMONG YOUNG PRISONERS
Question asked by Paul Burstow MP (LD Sutton and Cheam)
Commons Hansard 10/11/03 Col 91W Link

PQ: DEATHS OF CHILDREN IN CUSTODY
Question asked by Chris Ruane MP (Lab Vale of Clwyd)
Commons Hansard 10/11/03 Col 97W Link

PQ: DRUG TREATMENT OF PRISONERS
Question asked by John Battle MP (Lab Leeds West)
Commons Hansard 10/11/03 Col 100W Link

PQ: ALLOCATION TO LEYHILL PRISON
Question asked by Steve Webb MP (LD Northavon)
Commons Hansard 10/11/03 Col 105W Link

PQ: NEW PRISONS FUNDING
Question asked by Mark Oaten MP (LD Winchester; Home Affairs Spokesman)
Commons Hansard 10/11/03 Col 108W Link

PQ: PRISON OVERCROWDING
Question asked by Bob Spink MP (Con, Castle Point)
Commons Hansard 10/11/03 Col 114W Link

PQ: OPEN PRISONS
Question asked by Gerry Steinberg (Lab City of Durham)
Commons Hansard 10/11/03 Col 115W Link

PQ: SUICIDES IN PRISON
Question asked by Claire Curtis-Thomas MP (Lab Crosby; Member of Home Affairs Select Cttee)
Commons Hansard 10/11/03 Col 115W Link

PQ: REOFFENDING RATES FOR YOUNG OFFENDER INSTITUTIONS
Question asked by Mark Oaten MP (LD Winchester; Home Affairs Spokesman)
Commons Hansard 10/11/03 Col 123W Link

PQ: PLACEMENT OF YOUNG OFFENDERS FROM NORTH WALES
Question asked by Ian Lucas MP (Lab Wrexham)
Commons Hansard 10/11/03 Col 123W Link

PQ: VERIFICATION OF THE AGE OF JUVENILE PRISONERS
Question asked by Dominic Grieve MP (Con Beaconsfield; Shadow Attorney General)
Commons Hansard 10/11/03 Col 124W Link

PQ: JUVENILE PRISONER POPULATION
Question asked by James Wray MP (Lab Glasgow Baillieston)
Commons Hansard 10/11/03 Col 124W Link

PQ: MINORITY ETHNIC HOME OFFICE EMPLOYEES
Question asked by Mark Oaten MP (LD Winchester; Home Affairs Spokesman)
Commons Hansard 11/11/03 Col 236W Link

PQ: PRISON OVERCROWDING
Question asked by Claire Curtis-Thomas MP (Lab Crosby; Member of Home Affairs Select Cttee)
Commons Hansard 11/11/03 Col 242W Link

PQ: PRISON STAFF VACANCIES
Question asked by Vincent Cable MP (LD Twickenham)
Commons Hansard 11/11/03 Col 243W Link

PQ: WHISTLEBLOWERS IN THE PRISON SERVICE
Question asked by Claire Curtis-Thomas MP (Lab Crosby; Member of Home Affairs Select Cttee)
Commons Hansard 11/11/03 Col 245W Link

PQ: COST OF YOUNG OFFENDER INSTITUTIONS
Question asked by Mark Oaten MP (LD Winchester; Home Affairs Spokesman)
Commons Hansard 11/11/03 Col 247W Link

PQ: REGIMES IN YOUNG OFFENDER INSTITUTIONS
Question asked by Mark Oaten MP (LD Winchester; Home Affairs Spokesman)
Commons Hansard 11/11/03 Col 248W Link

PQ: EDUCATION IN YOUNG OFFENDER INSTITUTIONS
Question asked by Claire Curtis-Thomas MP (Lab Crosby; Member of Home Affairs Select Cttee)
Commons Hansard 11/11/03 Col 248W Link

DEBATE: CRIMINAL JUSTICE BILL
Report stage of the Bill - Minimum 15 year sentences for children who kill are opposed.
Lords Hansard 11/11/03 Col 1234 Link

PQ: PRISON VISITORS CENTRES
Question asked by Lord Hylton (Crossbench)
Lords Hansard 13/11/03 Col WA214 Link

PQ: SEX OFFENDER TREATMENT PROGRAMME
Question asked by Lord Corbett of Castle Vale (Labour)
Lords Hansard 13/11/03 Col WA215 Link

PQ: PRISONERS' FAMILY LINKS
Question asked by Lord Hylton (Crossbench)
Lords Hansard 13/11/03 Col WA216 Link

Inspections & Reports

HM YOI BRINSFORD - IMB ANNUAL REPORT
Published 11/11/03
Report

HMP BLUNDESTON - IMB ANNUAL REPORT
Published 11/11/03
Report

HMP BLANTYRE HOUSE - IMB ANNUAL REPORT
Published 11/11/03
Report

HMP BEDFORD - IMB ANNUAL REPORT
Published 11/11/03
Report

PRISON STATISTICS 2003
Published 10/11/03 HMSO
Report

Prison Population

Country This Week Last Week Last Year Annual Change

England/Wales 74,389 74,243 72,709 + 1,680

Scotland 6,574 6,626 6,511 + 63

Northern Ireland 1,204 1,174 1,088 + 116

UK Total 82,167 82,043 80,308 + 1,859

Please note: these population statistics do not relate to any particular day. The different prison authorities calculate their populations on different days of the week. These statistics reflect the most recently released data for the respective countries.

Voluntary Sector

CALL FOR PUBLIC INQUIRY INTO JOSEPH SCHOLES' DEATH
Nacro and Inquest this week called for a public inquiry to be held into the death of 16 year-old Joseph Scholes at Stoke Heath YOI. See above for news coverage or visit www.inquest.org.uk.

RONNIE O'SULLIVAN TALKS ABOUT HIS DAD IN PRISON
An interview in the new edition of the Action for Prisoners' Families newsletter. For further information visit http://www.prisonersfamilieshelpline.org.uk/php/bin/readarticle.php?articlecode=9241.

Next Week

CHILDREN'S CHARITIES LAUNCH REPORT ON CHILDREN IN TROUBLE
A coalition of children's charities will publish a report on Tuesday calling for widespread reform to the youth justice system and child imprisonment. Contact Barnardo's for further information.

CRIME AND THE MEDIA
Nacro's AGM will follow a conference on crime and the media. www.nacro.org.uk

REAL WORK IN PRISON
An afternoon seminar with the Howard League for Penal Reform will consider employment in prison and their own 'Real Work in Prison' project. www.howardleague.org

CRIMEINFO LAUNCH
The Centre for Crime & Justice Studies at Kings College London will launch a new website on Thursday, which aims to provide public information on crime and punishment. www.kcl.ac.uk/ccjs