Labour’s Shadow Justice Secretary, MP, has today written to
MP, the Justice Secretary,
to ask what measures the Government is taking to address the fact
that every prison in England and Wales that has undergone a fire
inspection has failed its inspection.
MP, Labour’s Shadow Justice
Secretary, said:
“It is appalling that not a single prison in England or Wales
meets the required fire safety standards. The terrible fire at
Grenfell Tower underlines the need to take fire safety seriously.
“The current situation not only puts prisoners at risk, it is
putting staff and visitors at risk too. That is why I have
written to , the Secretary of State for
Justice, to ask exactly what he is doing to address this danger.
“It is vital that urgent steps are taken to ensure prisons meet
the required fire safety standards, and that instead of keeping
reports secret, the results of future inspections are immediately
made public.”
Ends
Notes to editors:
- · Full
text of the letter from MP to MP:
Dear Secretary of State,
I am writing to ask what measures you are taking in response to
the information released by the Crown Premises Fire Inspection
Group that confirms every prison in England and Wales that has
undergone a fire inspection has failed its fire inspection.
It is clear that staff, inmates and visitors are being put at
significant risk by the current fire safety conditions within
prisons. Therefore, I would like you to clarify the following:
1. What immediate and concrete steps are being taken to improve
fire safety conditions?
2. How can the fire inspections regime be made more transparent
so that failings can be identified and acted on earlier?
Given the danger posed to members of the public, I have made this
letter public. I believe it would also be appropriate for your
reply to be made public.
Yours sincerely,
MP
