Dear members,
Last week I attended a Court User Meeting at Isleworth CC on behalf of the association, principally to meet with someone from Wormwood Scrubs to address the crisis with legal visits. While there I received information about the prison
estate for London and on the closure of Hammersmith MC. I will report on each subject separately.
As to Scrubs I now have a point of contact and have agreed to attend a meeting in the prison. I have sent them some our complaints in writing and some ideas for improvements and will report back. This however was overshadowed by the news
I was given about the prison estate, report below:
Report from Sarah Poynton of Scrubs, Head of Ops at reception
·
The Birmingham booking centre is now a national scheme. Sold to the cheapest supplier. She cannot take any complaints about booking process (promises to send me a point of contact).
·
HMPS plan to reform prison estate, establishing 3 remand centres at Wandsworth, Highdown & Belmarsh for whole of London. All other prisons, including Scrubs will no longer be remand
prisons.
·
Wandsworth will have 20 new VL suites. No plans to improve VL at Scrubs therefore.
·
There is a list of prisons that might close and plans to build new ones. Scrubs and the Pentonville on the list to close. At least one will close.
·
Not going to have lunchtime VL slots despite prior requests (by Isleworth). Unions refuse.
·
Defence are not going to get VL access at Scrubs as things stand (but will receive reps from us – due to under use of existing facilities).
·
Offers a meeting with LCCSA to discuss problems and proposals.
·
Will put LCCSA in touch with Birmingham booking centre re booking problems.
·
HM Prison Service due to merge with National Probation Service, called the HMPPS.
So, things are going south, in more ways than one.
Regards,
Mark Troman
Solicitor & Higher Courts Advocate
Powell Spencer & Partners
270 Kilburn High Road
London, NW6 2BY
DX:123862 Kilburn 2
T: 020 7604 5606
Securemail:
crime.dept@psplaw.cjsm.net