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 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.

 
Mark Troman
LCCSA Secretary