Prison Board of Visitors’ Report for 2006
Statistics
In accordance with Regulation 2 of the Prison (Board of Visitors) (Jersey) Regulations, the Board comprises of seven members appointed by the Royal Court and during 2006 the Board held twelve scheduled meetings at the prison. Sixty six applications were made by inmates to meet with the members of the Board during these visits and in addition, seventy four requests were made to meet with the sole members who visited in between the scheduled monthly meetings. These visits were pre-alTanged on a rota basis and in all cases follow-up action was taken as appropriate.
The members of the Board were also required to undertake six adjudication hearings, at which prisoners were legally represented on three occasions, including at one hearing which lasted over 2 hours. It is appropriate to record that there was no dissent with the findings of the Board, neither from the prisoners concerned nor from their counsel.
The daily average prisoner population during the year was 174, with the highest number locked-up being 189 and the lowest 157. Tn addition, a daily average of 10 were on the TRMS Scheme (Tagging) and 37 were held in prisons in England and Wales.
Report of H M Inspector of Prisons
The much awaited Report of H M Inspector of Prisons was made available in the Spring following the inspection of H M Prison La Moye undertaken in June 2005. The content came as no surprise to the Members of the Board, nor to the Governor and staff, nor indeed to the Minister for Home Affairs, as the high level of criticism levied only reflects the lack of investment in resources over a prolonged period. As a result, the Report attracted much attention from the media as well as from the public, and also subsequently prompted a number of members of the States to visit the prison to witness for themselves the poor conditions which exist.
In order to cormnence the substantial task of remedying the position, an Officer from the UK was seconded to assist the Governor and his management team to prepare and implement a Performance Improvement Plan in which time scales have been set to achieve the targeted improvements. It was envisaged that these goals could be achieved over a two year period providing sufficient monies could be made available, over and above the budget required to run the prison efficiently on a day to day basis. The Members of the Board were therefore pleased at the end of 2006 when it was announced that £500,000 would be made available to commence the programme of
improvements, including the much needed education facilities. However, although work has begun and a Head of Learning and Skills will commence his duties shortly, at the time of writing this Report, we understand that in fact some of the above mentioned monies will now be required for normal miming expenses. We were also concerned to learn that no monies beyond the original sum committed will be available in 2008, which means the Performance Improvement Plan is unlikely to be fully addressed within the anticipated time scale.
It is not the purpose of this Report to reiterate all of the shortcomings of H M Prison at La Moye. These are well documented and anyone who has since visited will have seen that they are not exaggerated in any way. Whilst it acknowledged that the Capital Expenditure programme has been accelerated, thus providing much improved kitchen facilities and accommodation for the female prisoners by moving them to what was the enhanced wing, there remains a total lack of facilities to help with the rehabilitation of prisoners, thus preparing them for their release into the community. This is particularly important for those serving long term sentences.
On a positive note, we were pleased that the Report highlighted the friendly relationship between the staff and the prisoners. In our view, were it not for this excellent rapport, disruptions could be anticipated on a more frequent basis.
Chaplain
During 2006 the Chaplaincy services were resumed with the appointment of a full time Anglican Chaplain, aided by representatives from the Methodist and Catholic Churches ,although the latter representative was not able to fulfil any duties for much of the year due to ill-health. Only recently, it has also proved necessary to provide for a Polish-speaking priest to administer to the increasing number of prisoners originating from that country.
Yount Offenders
H M Prison, La Moye is unique, at least within the prison service of England and Wales, as it is called upon to accommodate the various categories of adult male and female prisoners as well as young offenders of both sexes. Each group requires distinct facilities and whilst we have already noted the improved accommodation for the females, we must record our concern that the law requires young offenders of school age who are sentenced to youth detention to be held at La Moye. We had anticipated that Greenfields would be used for this purpose and we hope that appropriate action will be taken at the earliest opportunity for this to happen.
Death in Custody
Sadly, we must record that a male prisoner, who had been an habitual offender, took his own life whilst on remand in September 2006. The Prison and Probation Ombudsman for England and Wales was asked to investigate and his final report is awaited.
Prison Budget
It is quite obvious that the Budget allocated to the Prison in the past has fallen well short ofthat required to run a modern and efficient unit on the Island. In our view it is imperative that the appropriate monies required be made available and furthermore, that the sum involved be advised to the Governor and his management team well ahead of the commencement of the year in question, and not after the first quarter has virtually passed, as has been the case in 2007.
Meetings with Minister for Home Affairs
The members of the Board were very pleased that quarterly meetings with the Minister were commenced and also that the Minister was able to witness the work undertaken by the Board, and recorded, during one of their monthly visits to the Prison. These meetings have provided useful opportunities for exchanges of views concerning the running of the prison and of its requirements, particularly in connection with the Performance Improvement Plan. It is therefore unfortunate that due to the ill-health of the Minister the first meeting of 2007 had to be re-scheduled as both parties are keen to ensure that they continue on a regular basis.
Jurat John C Tibbo
Chairman, Prison Board of Visitors
8 April 2007
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