Letter from Richard Tilt to Mr. Doug Hoyle, dated 23 October 1995:

The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the efficient use of energy at Doncaster prison.

Doncaster prison operates a computerised building management system specifically designed to optimise energy utilisation.

Premier Prison Services Ltd have achieved savings by managing and developing this system in combination with arranging competitively-priced contracts with utility providers and heightening staff awareness of the need to conserve energy.

In line with the partnership agreements between Premier Prison Services Ltd and the Prison Service, the Prison Service receives 80 per cent of such saving. The amount due for this year as a result of these savings has not yet been determined.

Letter from Richard Tilt to Mr. Doug Hoyle, dated 23 October 1995:

The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about inspections from the local environmental health officer and the Health and Safety Executive to Doncaster prison.

The local environmental health officer visited the prison on 3 August. His report is still awaited.

The Health and Safety Executive have twice visited to examine the alarm systems available to prison staff on 29 September 1994 and 21 November 1994. They were satisfied with the systems that enable staff to raise the alarm when necessary.

Letter from Richard Tilt to Mr. Doug Hoyle, dated 23 October 1995:

The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about amendments or alterations to the contract to manage Doncaster prison.

There have been no amendments or alterations to the contract between the Home Office and Premier Prison Services Ltd. since the contract was signed on 18 February 1994.

Letter from Richard Tilt to Mr. Doug Hoyle, dated 23 October 1995:

The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the sub-contracted services at Doncaster prison.

Doncaster Prison Services Ltd do not sub-contract any operating functions involving security, the provision of prisoner programmes, health care, food services, works services or laundry.

There are several specialist contracts in place to deal with the maintenance of computer equipment, electronic locking systems, close-circuit television linked to video recording systems and specialist plant and equipment.

In addition, specialist medical personnel support Doncaster prison on a contractual basis when required.

Letter from Richard Tilt to Mr. Doug Hoyle, dated 23 October 1995:

The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the default notices served on Premier Prison Services Ltd in respect of their contract for the management of Doncaster prison.

To date there have been seven default notices served on Premier Prison Services Ltd since Doncaster prison opened in June 1994. The Prison Service considered that there was a default in relation to the following contractual obligations:

On 7 September 1994 in relation to Schedule 2.3.15c: for a failure to deal satisfactorily with litter and graffiti.

On 7 September 1994 in relation to Schedule 2.1.6: This referred to an error in the prison roll.

On 15 September 1994 in relation to Schedule 2.1.2a: On Sunday 11 September a category A prisoner was not escorted within the prison in accordance with Prison Service requirements.

On 19 September 1994 and 15 November 1994 in relation to Schedule 1.5.2: On three occasions in September and November individual prisoners were temporarily located in the segregation unit special cell without authorisation by the controller.

On 24 January 1995 in relation to Schedule 2.13.12: An Induction Board had not been introduced by the date required under the contract and there were no adequate substitute procedures in place.

On 28 July 1995 in relation to Schedule 2.1.2a: On 25 July 1995 a category A prisoner had been unlocked without the necessary supervision required by the Prison Service

All faults were corrected within the time specified in the default notices.

Letter from Richard Tilt to Mr. Doug Hoyle, dated 23 October 1995:

The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the outcome of inquiries into a disturbance at Doncaster prison on 29 November 1994.

A full investigation was carried out by Linda Leivers into the incident. The investigation concluded that there was a clash between young offenders from different areas of Yorkshire, but that there were no warnings or indications to staff before the incident that trouble was imminent. The incident was quickly brought under control. Staff acted properly throughout the incident. The perpetrators were quickly identified and charged under Prison Rules.

Letter from Richard Tilt to Mr. Doug Hoyle, dated 23 October 1995:

The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the achievements under all key Performance Indicators applied to Doncaster prison for the first year of operation.

The Key Performance Indicators set out in the attached table were all met.

Letter from Richard Tilt to Mr. Doug Hoyle, dated 23 October 1995:

The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the costs incurred by the contractor and the Home Office as a result of damage to the building, fixtures and fittings at Doncaster prison as a result of disturbances and other incidents.

Since the prison opened on 20 June 1994, total costs have amounted to £85,925. The costs have been met by the contractor. The Prison Service has not incurred any costs.

Letter from Richard Tilt to Mr. Doug Hoyle, dated 23 October 1995:

The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question about security audits at Doncaster prison.

The Prison Service's standards audit unit carried out a security audit of Doncaster prison between 13–22 March this year.

The content of the audit report was not disclosed because of the security detail it contains. It would not be in the interests of either the public or the Prison Service for such information to be in the public domain.

Letter from Richard Tilt to Mr. Doug Hoyle, dated 23 October 1995:

The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the dates on which the certified normal accommodation has been exceeded at Doncaster; the number of additional places required; and any cost increases over and above the contract price.

The certified normal accommodation of 771 (CNA) has been exceeded on 47 occasions up to and including 21 September 1995. The dates and figures are given in the attached table.

There have been no additional costs to the Prison Service as a result of these increased figures.