HC Deb 18 March 1971 vol 813 cc1631-2
11. Mrs. Renée Short

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what new proposals he has for the treatment of women offenders.

Mr. Carlisle

Improvements in the arrangements for the custodial treatment of women and girls, in which the redevelopment of Holloway Prison plays an important part, are in hand. Studies in progress of various possible developments of non-custodial treatment will, if they bear fruit, be relevant to women offenders. The arrangements for the treatment of young offenders, including young women, are being reviewed by the Advisory Council on the Penal System.

Mrs. Short

Does the hon. Gentleman agree that only a small minority of women offenders require the close security conditions of Holloway or any other prison? Would it not be more useful if, instead of spending £6 million on the rebuilding of Holloway, some of the money were used for hostel accommodation and community care to prevent many women from returning to prison for trivial offences over and over again?

Mr. Carlisle

I agree that only a small proportion of women offenders end up in prison and I accept the importance of and need for more hostels, but there will always be a need for a women's prison and surely it is right to rebuild it.

Mrs. Knight

When may we expect action to end the totally inexcusable delay in the implementation of the promise to re-provide remand home accommodation for women in the Midlands?

Mr. Carlisle

That is a different question, but the Home Office is urgently attempting to find suitable premises for such a remand home.