Prisons: First Night Service

House of Lords written question – answered at on 5 October 2011.

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Photo of Lord Ramsbotham Lord Ramsbotham Crossbench

To ask Her Majesty's Government why the National Offenders Management Service (NOMS) cancelled the First Night service provided at HMP Holloway by the Prisoner's Advice and Care Trust; and how much notice of the cancellation was given by National Offenders Management Service to the Prisoner's Advice and Care Trust.

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the National Offenders Management Service proposes to continue a First Night service at HMP Holloway; and, if so, by whom and at what cost.

To ask Her Majesty's Government why they rejected the independent Prison Reform Trust report on the First Night service provided by the Prisoner's Advice and Care Trust at HMP Holloway.

Photo of Lord McNally Lord McNally Deputy Leader of the House of Lords, The Minister of State, Ministry of Justice, Liberal Democrat Leader in the House of Lords

The First Night service offered by PACT is duplicated to a large degree by information-gathering by the prison for input into the P-Nomis system at the point of reception. As a result of the need to ensure cost efficiency it was decided to review how the First Night service was provided at Holloway. PACT was the only bidder when the service was re-tendered; however, it did not represent value for money.

It was decided to provide the service in-house, which offers significant cost benefits, and discontinue the service provided by PACT. A three-month notice period was entered into, which finishes on 31 October 2011. From then, a variation of the First Night Service will be provided utilising existing operational staff resources at no additional cost. Holloway will be giving prisoners extra phone credit when arriving as a new reception, which will be at a minimal additional cost to the prison.

Given the PACT bid did not represent value for money the Prison Reform Trust report did not form part of the considerations during this process.

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