§ Mr. Cohenasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has any plans to reduce the amount of time spent by prisoners locked in their cells by the provision of additional employment or recreational opportunities; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MellorUnder the arrangements set out in circular instruction 55/84, a copy of which is in the Library, governors and regional directors are required to manage their resources so as to enable prisoners to spend the maximum possible time out of cells. Employment, recreation and other regime activities will be developed wherever possible, though the extent to which this can be achieved, particularly in local prisons, depends on a number of factors, including the size of the prison population.