§ Mr. Freudasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners are currently held at Wandsworth; how many of these have (a) single cells, (b) share with one other prisoner and (c) share with two other prisoners; how many are employed in the prison; how many are kept in their cells for 23 hours a day; and whether he is satisfied with facilities for education and recreation.
§ Mr. MellorThe population of Her Majesty's prison, Wandsworth, on 8 March was 1,375. On 13 February, the latest date for which figures are available, 602 prisoners were accommodated two to a cell; no cells were in triple occupation. On 8 March, 399 prisoners were employed, mainly in the laundry and brush shop, and a further 87 occupied in daytime educational and vocational classes; and 135 prisoners took part in educational classes in the evening. It is not possible to say how many of the remainder were in their cells for 23 hours, but, apart from the statutory daily period of exercise and facilities for religious services and visits, prisoners in practice leave their cells for various purposes during the daytime. 469W Improved facilities for education and recreation will shortly be available with the completion of the refurbishment of F wing, which will provide a new multipurpose sports hall, education centre and visits area.