§ Ms. Richardsonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when H wing at Durham prison was originally abandoned; what was the reason; what has since been spent on refurbishment; why it was decided not to reallocate men to this wing; and if he is satisfied that the conditions for the present women inmates are humane.
§ Mr. HurdDurham H wing was transferred from the female to the male prison system in 1965. It operated as a special security wing for male prisoners until August 1971 when it was closed as a consequence of the dispersal policy for category A offenders. By the end of 1971 it reopened to provide accommodation for category B male prisoners serving between two and five years. In 1974 it was transferred back to the female system because of a general shortage of closed accommodation and the need to provide category A standards of security. These needs remain.
Total expenditure on security measures and refurbishment of H wing since 1974 is not separately recorded.
We are satisfied that conditions in H wing are humane.
542W
§ Ms. Richardsonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many women are in Her Majesty's prison Durham, H wing; and how many are classified category A.
§ Mr. HurdOn 29 February, 36 women were being held in H wing and another was being held temporarily in an outside hospital. Three are classified as category A prisoners.