Service Performance: Output Class 5- Custodial Services

This output class covers the provision of custodial services and the administration of custodial sentences in safe, secure and humane conditions for both male and female prisoners classified as maximum, medium and minimum security. Youth under 18 years of age and vulnerable 18- to 19-year-olds will be housed in specialist Young Offenders Units. Also included are the management of other specialist facilities and the Department's drug reduction strategy.

It provided for a throughput of 10,356 new prisoners, representing an average prison population of 5,786 prisoners. This requires the provision of beds and associated facilities to meet security, gender, age and other prisoner needs 24 hours a day.

OUTPUT CLASS STATEMENT: CUSTODIAL SERVICES
For the Year Ended 30 June 2005

30/06/05 Actual $000		30/06/06 Actual $000	Main Estimates $000	Supp. Estimates* $000
	REVENUE
286,477	Crown	364,035	369,557	365,346
2,510	Departmental	4,819	5,529	5,529
288,987	Total Revenue	368,854	374,557	370,875
289,151	Total Expenses	370,622	374,557	370,875
(164)	Net Deficit	(1,768)	0	0
*These figures also include the following adjustment under Section 26A of the Public Finance Act 1989:
		Supplementary Estimates ($000)	Section 26A Transfer ($000)	Final Appropriation ($000)
		369564	(1,311)	370,875

OUTPUT 5.1 Maximum Security Men

This output provides for the safe, secure and humane confinement of adult male prisoners classified as maximum security. It incorporates the costs of accommodation, security, sentence management (including assessment), food and medical care.

Performance Measure	Actual	Actual	Budget	Variance
	2004/05	Performance Standard 2005/06
Quantity
The average number of maximum security sentenced prisoners:	62	681	58	(10)
The percentage of sentenced prisoners, who are eligible and have met the Department's criteria for sentence planning, with prisoner management plans prepared and managed to the following standards in the relevant service description, Public Prisons Service Policy and Procedures Manual and Public Prisons Service Sentence Management Manual to be: on induction, each prisoner is provided verbally and in writing with accurate and timely information on the operation and rules of the institution and the entitlements of prisoners. Prisoners are informed of their obligations, rights, privileges and their access to services in a way they can understand. The prisoner's immediate needs are addressed or referred for prompt action assessment interviews include prison staff and the prisoner and take into account any pre-sentence reports that are available the prisoner is placed into the appropriate work/programme the prisoner attends the allocated work/programme all information is recorded and filed on the prisoner's file sentence management plans are reviewed as per the plan.	77%	85%	100%	(15%)
The number of breakouts per annum:	0	0	n/a2	0
The number of non-returns from temporary release per annum:	0	0	n/a3	0
The number of all other escapes per annum:	0	0	n/a(4)	0

Comment

The national system for security classification is objectively applied to all prisoners and actual numbers in each classification are largely outside the control of the Department.

The percentage of sentenced prisoners with sentence plans was below the standard, reflecting a backlog of plans within the Public Prisons Service. Plans were developed during the year that improved performance by 8% in the second half of the year. This target was adversely affected by prison population pressures and increased throughput, plus increased prison transfers, all of which contributed to delays in completing prisoner sentence plans within 28 days of sentence commencement.

OUTPUT 5.2 Medium Security Men

This output provides for the safe, secure and humane confinement of adult male prisoners (excluding young offenders accommodated in the Department's Young Offenders Units) classified as high-medium or low-medium security. It incorporates the costs of accommodation, security, sentence management (including assessment), food and medical care.

Performance Measure	Actual	Actual	Budget	Variance
	2004/05	Performance Standard 2005/06
Quantity
The average number of medium security sentenced prisoners:
• Public Prisons Service:	2610	2700(5)	2686	(14)
• Police/court cells:	33	21	n/a(6)	(21)
Total average number of medium security sentenced prisoners:	2643	2721	2686	(35)
Quality
The percentage of sentenced prisoners, who are eligible and have met the Department's criteria for sentence planning, with prisoner management plans prepared and managed to the following standards in the relevant service description, Public Prisons Service Policy and Procedures Manual and Public Prisons Service Sentence Management Manual to be: on induction, each prisoner is provided verbally and in writing with accurate and timely information on the operation and rules of the institution and the entitlements of prisoners. Prisoners are informed of their obligations, rights, privileges and their access to services in a way they can understand. The prisoner's immediate needs are addressed or referred for prompt action assessment interviews include prison staff and the prisoner and take into account any pre-sentence reports that are available the prisoner is placed into the appropriate work/programme the prisoner attends the allocated work/programme all information is recorded and filed on the prisoner's file sentence management plans are reviewed as per the plan.	90%	86%	100%	(14%)
The number of breakouts per annum to be no more than:	7	4	n/a(7)	(4)
The number of non-returns from temporary release per annum to be no more than:	0	0	n/a(8)	0
The number of all other escapes per annum to be no more than:	2	3	n/a(9)	(3)

Comment

The national system for security classification is objectively applied to all prisoners and actual numbers in each classification is largely outside the control of the Department.

The total average number of medium security prisoners was in line with forecast levels, which reflected the Ministry of Justice prison population forecast.

The percentage of sentenced prisoners with sentence plans was below the standard, reflecting a backlog of plans within the Public Prisons Service. Plans were developed during the year that improved the performance by 3% in the second half of the year. This target was adversely affected by prison population pressures and increased throughput, plus increased prison transfers, all of which contributed to a delay in completing a prisoner sentence plan within 28 days of sentence commencement.

Recommendations resulting from the investigations into the four breakout and three other escapes have been put in place to reduce the possibility of future escapes of the type of each of these escapes.

OUTPUT 5.3 Minimum Security Men

This output provides for the safe, secure and humane confinement of adult male prisoners (excluding young offenders accommodated in the Department's Young Offenders Units) classified as minimum security. It incorporates the costs of accommodation, security, sentence management (including assessment), food and medical care.

Performance Measure	Actual	Actual	Budget	Variance
	2004/05	Performance Standard 2005/06
Quantity
The average number of minimum security sentenced prisoners:
• Public Prisons Service:	2,417	2,746(10)	2,576	170
•Police Court Cells:	0	10	n/a(11)	(10)
Total average number of minimum security sentenced prisoners:	2,417	2,756	2,576	(180)
Quality
The percentage of sentenced prisoners, who are eligible and have met the Department's criteria for sentence planning, with prisoner management plans prepared and managed to the following standards in the relevant service description, Public Prisons Service Policy and Procedures Manual and Public Prisons Service Sentence Management Manual to be: on induction, each prisoner is provided verbally and in writing with accurate and timely information on the operation and rules of the institution and the entitlements of prisoners. Prisoners are informed of their obligations, rights, privileges and their access to services in a way they can understand. The prisoner's immediate needs are addressed or referred for prompt action assessment interviews include prison staff and the prisoner and take into account any pre-sentence reports that are available the prisoner is placed into the appropriate work/programme the prisoner attends the allocated work/programme all information is recorded and filed on the prisoner's file sentence management plans are reviewed as per the plan.	90%	91%	100%	(9%)
The number of breakouts per annum:	2	3	n/a(12)	(3)
The number of non-returns from temporary release per annum:	0	0	n/a(13)	(1)
The number of all other escapes per annum:	6	6	n/a(14)	(5)

Comment

The national system for security classification is objectively applied to all prisoners and actual numbers in each classification is largely outside the control of the Department.

The percentage of sentenced prisoners with sentence plans was below the standard, reflecting a backlog of plans within the Public Prisons Service. Plans were developed which improved performance by 5% during the second half of the year. This target was adversely affected by prison population pressures and increased throughput, plus increased prison transfers, all of which contributed to a delay in completing some prisoner sentence plans within 28 days of sentence commencement.

Recommendations from the investigations into the escapes and non-return from temporary release have been put in place. These include improved risk assessment and surveillance of prisoners undertaking work experience, and staff training. Processes have also been put in place to ensure that prisoners do not have access to unauthorised equipment that could be used to facilitate an escape.

OUTPUT 5.4 Women

This output provides for the safe, secure and humane confinement of all female sentenced prisoners. It incorporates the costs of accommodation, security, sentence management (including assessment), food and medical care.

Performance Measure	Actual	Actual	Budget	Variance
	2004/05	Performance Standard 2005/06
Quantity
The average number of maximum security sentenced prisoners:	0	0	0	0
The average number of medium security sentenced prisoners:	97	114(15)	102	(12)
The average number of minimum security sentenced prisoners:	222	236	239	3
The average number of female sentenced prisoners:	319(16)	350	341	(9)
Quality
The percentage of sentenced prisoners, who are eligible and have met the Department's criteria for sentence planning, with prisoner management plans prepared and managed to the following standards in the relevant service description, Public Prisons Service Policy and Procedures Manual and Public Prisons Service Sentence Management Manual to be: 73% 75% 100% (25%) on induction, each prisoner is provided verbally and in writing with accurate and timely information on the operation and rules of the institution and the entitlements of prisoners. Prisoners are informed of their obligations, rights, privileges and their access to services in a way they can understand. The prisoner's immediate needs are addressed or referred for prompt action assessment interviews include prison staff and the prisoner and take into account any pre-sentence reports that are available the prisoner is placed into the appropriate work/programme the prisoner attends the allocated work/programme all information is recorded and filed on the prisoner's file sentence management plans are reviewed as per the plan.	73%	75%	100%	(25%)
The number of breakouts per annum:	2	0	n/a(17)	0
The number of non-returns from temporary release per annum:	0	0	n/a(18)	0
The number of all other escapes per annum:	0	0	n/a(19)	0

Comment

The national system for security classification is objectively applied to all prisoners and actual numbers in each classification is largely outside the control of the Department.

The percentage of sentenced prisoners with sentence plans was below the standard, reflecting a backlog of plans within the Public Prisons Service. This target was adversely affected by prison population pressures and increased throughput, plus increased prison transfers, all of which contributed to delays in completing some prisoner sentence plans within 28 days of sentence commencement.

OUTPUT 5.5 Male Youth

This output provides for the safe, secure and humane confinement of sentenced males under 18 years of age and vulnerable 18-to 19year-olds, accommodated in the Department's Young Offenders Units (except those classified maximum security). It incorporates the costs of accommodation, security, sentence management (including assessment), food and medical care.

Performance Measure	Actual	Actual	Budget	Variance
	2004/05	Performance Standard 2005/06
Quantity
The average number of male sentenced youth prisoners held in Young Offenders Units:	118	118	125	7
Quality
The percentage of sentenced prisoners, who are eligible and have met the Department's criteria for sentence planning, with prisoner management plans prepared and managed to the following standards in the relevant service description, Public Prisons Service Policy and Procedures Manual and Public Prisons Service Sentence Management Manual to be: 79% 92% 100% (8%) on induction, each prisoner is provided verbally and in writing with accurate and timely information on the operation and rules of the institution and the entitlements of prisoners. Prisoners are informed of their obligations, rights, privileges and their access to services in a way they can understand. The prisoner's immediate needs are addressed or referred for prompt action assessment interviews include prison staff and the prisoner and take into account any pre-sentence reports that are available the prisoner is placed into the appropriate work/programme the prisoner attends the allocated work/programme all information is recorded and filed on the prisoner's file sentence management plans are reviewed as per the plan.	79%	92%	100%	(8%)
The number of breakouts per annum from Young Offenders Units to be:	0	0	n/a(20)	0
The number of all other escapes per annum from Young Offenders Units to be:	0	0	n/a(21)	0

Comment

The average number of male sentenced young offenders is initially influenced by rates of arrests and decisions of the judiciary and is outside the Department's control. Thereafter the national system for security classification is objectively applied to all prisoners and actual numbers in each classification is difficult to predict.

Sentence plans were not completed for 14 male youth prisoners within 28 days of commencement of their sentence. These delays were due to a variety of reasons, including operational pressures, prisoner refusals, or prisoners being held off-site, for example in a secure mental health facility where they have a specific management plan.

OUTPUT 5.6 Drug Reduction

This output entails the identification of drug users in prisons through the administration of three random drug screening programmes and other drug screening tests. It includes the costs of checkpoint drug control activities, drug dog services, and other activities undertaken alone or with other agencies.

Performance Measure	Actual	Actual	Budget	Variance
	2004/05	Performance Standard 2005/06
Quantity
The number of general random drug screening tests carried out to be no less than:	3,250	3,423	3,208	215
The number of random drug screening tests carried out on prisoners returning from temporary release to be no less than:	350	313	561	(248)
The number of random drug screening tests carried out on identified drug users to be no less than:	1,774	1,961	2,119	(158)
The number of other drug screening tests carried out to be no less than:(22)	5,422	6,020	6,152	(132)
Quality
The annual average percentage of general random programme drug screening tests producing a positive result to be no more than:	17%	15%	16%	1%
The annual average percentage of random drug screening tests of prisoners returning from temporary release producing a positive result:	13%	11%	n/a(23 )	(11%)
The annual average percentage of random drug screening tests of identified drug users producing a positive result:	34%	31%	n/a(24 )	(33%)

Comment

The number of general random drug screening tests was 7% more than forecast, and 5% more than in 2004/05. The higher number was influenced by the higher than anticipated average prison population, and the increased throughput of prisoners. These factors also influenced the lower number of random drug screening tests conducted on prisoners returning from temporary release and on identified drug users. However, the total number of random drug tests carried out was 6% above the number in the 2004/05 financial year.

The number of general random drug tests producing a positive result was lower than expected. This was a positive result for the Department.

The number of other drug screening tests carried out was 2% lower than expected, but reflects an 11% improvement compared with 2004/05.

It should be noted that the above results are based on the number of test results received back by 30 June 2006, and do not include results still awaited at that date.

1 This figure is not directly comparable to previous years' figures due to the use of a different departmental computerised recording system.

2 No forecast was included in the 2005/06 Statement of Intent.

3 No forecast was included in the 2005/06 Statement of Intent.

4 No forecast was included in the 2005/06 Statement of Intent.

5 This figure is not directly comparable to previous years' figures due to the use of a different departmental computerised recording system.

6 No forecast was included in the 2005/06 Statement of Intent.

7 No forecast was included in the 2005/06 Statement of Intent.

8 No forecast was included in the 2005/06 Statement of Intent.

9 No forecast was included in the 2005/06 Statement of Intent.

10 This figure is not directly comparable to previous years' figures due to the use of a different departmental computerised recording system.

11 No forecast was included in the 2005/06 Statement of Intent.

12 No forecast was included in the 2005/06 Statement of Intent.