Offender Management Bill

moved Amendment No. 105: 105: Clause 15, page 10, line 37, at end insert ““and has the appropriate training to do so”” The noble Viscount said: This amendment, too, seeks to improve Clause 15. It turns the focus onto subsection (2) and would implement a further safeguard to ensure that any worker in a contracted-out prison carrying out a restricted activity hadthe correct training. It seems highly surprising that currently there is no requirement on the face ofthe Bill for appropriate levels of training to be undertaken prior to executing custodial functions. I am sure that I do not need to remind noble Lords of the figures for the worst-case scenario in a prison—where a prisoner dies while in custody. I do not wish to make a judgmental comment on the case of Adam Rickwood, who committed suicide a number of hours after he was subjected to a restraint technique. Although the use of that technique might be acceptable, what gives cause for concern is that it was clear that he was suffering from mental problems. I note that an Oral Question has been tabled on this matter for tomorrow, so the matter might come up. That was just one of the 2,000 deaths in custody between 1995 and 2005. These examples highlight to us the overall risksin the prison estate, which is full of a set of extraordinarily challenging individuals who often pose the greatest harm to themselves. I would not claim that even the most perfect training would prevent such incidents, because there are too many variables in the system. However, where we can establish safeguards and ensure high standards of practice, it is clear that we should do so. That is why this amendment is so important—if not the wording, then the principle—and why I sincerely hope that the Minister will be able to accept it. I beg to move.