§ LORD CLIFFORD OF CHUDLEIGHMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ The Question was as follows:
780§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will reconsider their decision to shut the open prison at Haldon.
§ LORD HARRIS OF GREENWICHMy Lords, the decision to close Haldon has been taken after a careful review of prison accommodation and the current and likely future composition of the prison population. There have also been local difficulties at Haldon which have for some time prevented the full use of the accommodation. Her Majesty's Government do not believe it would be right, taking all factors into account, to retain Haldon as an active establishment.
§ LORD CLIFFORD OF CHUDLEIGHMy Lords, I thank the noble Lord for that reply. Would he not agree that it is a retrograde step if reformable prisoners at present in open prisons were to be forced back to enclosed prisons where, by association, they are likely to become hardened criminals? So far as this case is concerned, in the area of Chudleigh Haldon, where the prison has been both accepted and in cases welcomed, it seems pathetic that it should be closed. I am sure that, realising the difficulties and the resultant public outcry surrounding the opening of a new prison the Government will see that it is a pity to close this one. While they may still want to close it, would they not consider making it an establishment for young adult offenders as recommended in the Advisory Report?
§ LORD HARRIS OF GREENWICHMy Lords, the Government did consider this matter carefully. As the noble Lord is aware, their consideration covered not only this one but a number of other open establishments. The reason for the Government's decision—if I may trouble the House with the figures concerned—is that in the 12 male open prisons operating in 1973 the average number of prisoners in the first six months of this year was about 3,200, but the amount of accommodation available was for 4,236. Clearly it was not sensible to continue a situation in which a substantial amount of accommodation was not being used. One of the reasons it was not being used is that when planning inquiries took place and these establishments were to be opened assurances were given that certain categories of prisoners would in no circumstances be sent to them. So in 781 the case of Haldon, for example, the Home Office had to give an assurance that prisoners who had been convicted of any offence of violence or for sexual crimes would not be sent there. That indicates to the noble Lord the difficulties involved.