HC Deb 02 June 1980 vol 985 cc514-7W
Mr. Kilroy-Silk

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if the accommodation used for sleeping prisoners in association rooms, classrooms, storerooms, visiting rooms, a library, offices, a dormitory floor, hospital annexe and a corridor had been properly certified and numbered or marked in a conspicuous position with the number or mark by which it is identified in the certificates as required by prison standing orders; if not, why not; and on whose authority and for what reasons the order was not complied with;

(2) if he his satisfied that he has discharged his responsibilities under section 14(2) of the Prison Act 1952 and rule 23 of the prison rules 1964 is accommodating prisoners in association rooms, classrooms, storerooms, washrooms, a library, office and dormitory floor, hospital annexes and a corridor; and if not. why not; and on whose authority deviations from the prison rules were permitted.

Mr. Whitelaw

I regret that on occasions some inmates have temporarily to sleep in accommodation not certified for the purpose. This usage, for which I take full responsibility, is a matter of necessity arising from the obligation of governors to receive those committed to their custody by the courts in circumstances of overcrowding. I am satisfied that prison staff do all they can to maintain humane conditions for those affected.

Mrs. Renée Short

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners it was intended should be accommodated in each prison of England and Wales: and how many prisoners were in fact accommodated there at the latest date for which figures are available in each case.

Mr. Brittan

On 30 April 1980 the certified normal accommodation and population for each prison in England and Wales was asfollows:

CNA Population
MALES
Remand Centres
Ashford 400 462
Brockhill 177 236
Cardiff 67 108
Exeter 44 53
Latchmere House 128 181
Low Newton 160 292
Norwich 60 62
Pucklechurch 115 100
Risley 565 693
Thorp Arch 101 172
Winchester 66 99
Local Prisons
Bedford 169 300
Birmingham 596 1,003
Bristol 583 630
Brixton 696 975
Canterbury 246 366
Cardiff 273 427
Dorchester 155 234
Durham 669 1,038
Exeter 289 400
Gloucester 193 321
Leeds 612 1,107
Leicester 204 412
Lewes 352 451
Lincoln 356 615
Liverpool 1,016 1,608
Manchester 939 1,428
Norwich 227 373
Oxford 137 287
Pentonville 876 1,146
Reading 50 43
Shrewsbury 170 256
Swansea 227 307
Wandsworth 1,247 1,512
Winchester 411 604
Wormwood Scrubs 1,054 1,492
FEMALES
Askham Grange 137 162
Cookham Wood 56 55
Drake Hall 150 183
Durham 39 38
East Sutton Park 20 21
Holloway 253 399
Low Newton 23 43
Moor Court 76 98
Pucklechurch 56 76
Risley 85 175
Styal 204 212
Closed Prisons
Acklington 213 211
Albany 294 292
Aylesbury 295 309
Blundeston 418 413
Camp Hill 468 438
Castington 78 60
Channings Wood 316 299
Coldingley 296 256
Dartmoor 550 545
Erlestoke 205 195
Exeter 45 47
Featherstone 484 470
Gartree 215 130
Grendon 294 159
Haverigg 520 530
Highpoint 301 278
Hull 318 273
Kingston 140 132
Lancaster 153 228
Long Lartin 350 337
Maidstone 543 524
Northallerton 143 214
Northeye 345 339
Norwich 104 106
Nottingham 207 266
Onley 420 342
Parkhurst 338 259
Preston 427 587
Ranby 488 472
Reading 119 206
Shepton Mallet 162 247
Stafford 536 789
Standford Hill 177 173
Swinfen Hall 182 177
Verne 618 513
Wakefield 798 713
Wymott 816 570
Open Prisons
Appleton Thorn 316 347
Ashwell 400 415
Ford 528 523
Kirkham 608 479
Leyhill 331 319
Rudgate 378 352
Spring Hill 200 190
Standford Hill 357 352
Sudbury 384 372

Mrs. Renée Short

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of the prison population is currently sharing cells, two and three to a cell.

Mt. Brittan

About 38 per cent.

Mrs. Renée Short

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the ratio of prisoners to integral toilet facilities in each of the prisons in the United Kingdom; and what plans he has to improve the sanitary provisions within prisons.

Mr. Brittan

The information requested is not held centrally and could not be obtained without disproportionate cost. Work in progress will provide some 3,300 new places having integral sanitation or continuous ready access to toilet facilities. The designs for all new prisons will include such facilities.