HC Deb 23 January 1997 vol 288 cc1065-6
7. Mr. Butler

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has for the future of Woodhill prison. [10554]

Miss Widdecombe

There are no plans to change the role of Woodhill as a local prison, or its capacity. It will also continue to take category A prisoners, and a programme of work is under way to provide improved physical and procedural security to meet the relevant recommendations of Sir John Woodcock and General Sir John Learmont.

Woodhill will continue to take a small number of disruptive prisoners, and they will be housed in a new close supervision unit. In addition, the same building will include a small unit for holding female prisoners who need to be kept in conditions of high security.

Mr. Butler

May I begin by saying what a pleasure it will be to address my hon. Friend as my right hon. Friend? I offer my congratulations on behalf of Conservative Members.

My hon. Friend will be aware that there has been great concern in my constituency and elsewhere near Woodhill about constant reports that there is to be upgrading and that money is to be spent to permit Myra Hindley to be held there. May I make it clear to my hon. Friend that although we want Myra Hindley to be held for as long as possible, we do not want her to be held anywhere near Milton Keynes and we do not require luxury facilities to be built for that purpose?

Miss Widdecombe

I think that I can reassure my hon. Friend. No decision has been made about the location of any particular prisoner in connection with Woodhill. As for the stories of luxury, they are similar to the scaremongering stories that we often hear from the Labour party. In fact, there is only the most basic provision in Woodhill, in keeping with my right hon. and learned Friend the Home Secretary's policy that prison should be decent but austere. There will be no in-cell television or radio, normal volumetric control will apply and furniture and equipment will be standard prison issue, including metal-frame beds. Association areas will have standard furnishings and equipment.