HC Deb 20 May 1976 vol 911 cc1696-7
7. Mrs. Knight

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is intending to take to improve the prison education situation in Winson Green Prison, Birmingham.

Mr. John

The education programme was restarted last week on a limited basis. Available resources are unlikely to permit a significant improvement in the near future.

Mrs. Knight

Does the Minister recall that Command Paper No. 4214, which deals with education and vocational services, says that all offenders over 21 have to attend a certain number of classes each week? Does he appreciate the situation at Winson Green Prison, where just under 900 offenders are locked in their rooms for 23 hours a day, receiving no education but for the limited amount that the Minister has mentioned? Does he accept that that is far from satisfactory?

Mr. John

I accept what the hon. Member said about the figures. The education programme has been restarted, but "available resources" means two things. It means the money involved—and I am sure that the hon. Member joins me in expressing concern about the level of public expenditure. It also means the availability of prison staff, who, for example, are often heavily engaged in conducting people to court for hearings. That is one of the problems.

Mr. Grocott

Since the education service in prisons represents only one aspect of attempts to rehabilitate people, and since that is unsatisfactory, does my hon. Friend agree that all facilities designed to rehabilitate the prisoner—the education service, the pre-release employment scheme and other such arrangements—urgently need extension and improvement? If not, prison will continue to be what it is at the moment—a university of crime.

Mr. John

A great deal is being done in order' to proceed along the lines suggested by my hon. Friend. There are, however, certain priorities in our present economic situation and it would be foolish for me to mislead the House into believing that desirable projects do not have to be deferred whilst we tackle the main objectives.