§ Mr. Charles Irvingasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether there is any discernible connection between the degree of overcrowding in prison establishments and the level of violence either between inmates or against staff members.
§ Dr. SummerskillThere is no evidence to indicate that any one factor in isolation has a significant influence on the level of violence in prison establishments. But we are in no doubt that serious overcrowding puts additional strain on the tolerance of all who have to live and work in a prison.
§ Mr. Charles Irvingasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department to what factors he ascribes the present growth in the prison population.
§ Mr. Alexander W. LyonTo the increase in crime.
§ Mr. Charles Irvingasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is satisfied that the increasing use of single prison cells to accommodate two, three and more men presents no appreciable health hazard to inmates.
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§ Dr. SummerskillA single cell of standard size is not used to accommodate more than three prisoners, although in some establishments two or more cells have been knocked into one to provide dormitory accommodation. There has been no increase in the incidence of infections and no deterioration in the health standards in prisons over the years in which multiple occupancy of cells has been necessary.
§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much is spent in a year by the Prison Department on food for prisoners.
§ Dr. SummerskillThe amount spent on food for prisoners from central and local contracts in the financial year 1974–75 was £4.2 million. In addition, food to the estimated value of £1 million was supplied from the Prison Department's own farms.