See It. Snap It. Send It
Text your news to 80360, start your message with KENEWS Click here for more... »
Prison officers' data missing
9:09pm Saturday 6th September 2008
Justice Secretary Jack Straw has ordered an inquiry after a computer hard-drive containing the personal details of 5,000 prison officers went missing.
The loss of the data by private computing firm EDS was reported to the Prison Service in July, but it was not until now that Mr Straw was informed of the problem.
According to a letter from EDS seen by the News of the World, the hard-drive contains information including names, dates of birth, National Insurance numbers and Prison Service employee numbers. It was last seen as long ago as July 2007.
In a statement, Mr Straw said: "I am extremely concerned about this missing data. I was informed of its loss at lunchtime and have ordered an urgent inquiry into the circumstances and the implications of the data loss and the level of risk involved.
"I have also asked for a report as to why I was not informed as soon as my department became aware of this issue. My officials are also in touch with EDS as part of these processes. We take these matters extremely seriously."
The incident is the latest in a string of data losses to embarrass the Government, including the disappearance last October of two computer discs containing personal details of 25 million child benefit claimants.
The Prison Officers' Association said the loss, which it had not been informed about, could end up costing the taxpayer millions of pounds.
National chairman Colin Moses said: "We are extremely concerned that not only has this data been lost, but that the Prison Service appear to have tried to conceal this serious breach in security.
"It is a breach that we believe could ultimately cost the taxpayer millions and millions of pounds, because, if the information lost is personal and sensitive, it may well mean staff having to move prisons, move homes and relocate their families. This obviously will have a significant cost to the taxpayer.
"We believe that the people who have tried to conceal this serious breach should be brought to account and we are calling on Jack Straw to fully investigate this matter and ensure that justice is seen to be done."
Editor's Choice
Police warn motorists about sat-nav only driving
MOTORISTS are finding themselves stranded on the Lake District’s high mountain passes in treacherous conditions because of ‘sat-navs’, police have warned.
The month for tupping!
Hi there, I hope you are all enjoying the spell of fine weather that we are having at the moment!
Winter woodlands
This winter walk takes you through fine deciduous woodland in the valley of the River Calder, onto slopes above the hurrying river. Near Thornholme, an isolated farmhouse, you cross by footbridges, first the river and then a beck, Worm Gill.
Use the Web to find good advice on the recession
Although the recession has, “technically,” only just begun, most businesses have been noticing a slowdown in the economy for months. A few have been experiencing it for more than a year!
Jack Straw has ordered an inquiry after disc containing prison officers' details goes missing
A hard-drive containing the personal details of 5,000 prison officers is missing
A computer hard-drive containing personal details of 5,000 prison officers is missing
In this section
Sponsored Links
Local Advertisers
Local Information
Enter your postcode, town or place name
