§ Mr. Nelsonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many empty beds there were in (a) closed prisons and (b) open prisons on the latest date for which information is available; what are the reasons for such vacancies; and what is being done to make better use of accommodation.
§ Dr. Summerskill:The latest occupation return, which is for 31st October 1978, shows that in closed prisons on that date there were 28,115 male prisoners occupying accommodation normally intended for 23,544. The same return shows that the total certified normal accommodation in male open prisons amounted to 3,528 places, occupied by 3,096 prisoners. The number of vacant places in male open prisons was, therefore, 432, due in the main to a lack of prisoners who meet the criteria for transfer to those establishments.
The allocation of inmates to open prisons, which is carefully monitored by regional directors and prison department headquarters to ensure that the fullest use is made of this accommodation, is being reviewed; but the safety of the public must be the first consideration.