HC Deb 17 July 1987 vol 119 cc656-7W
Mr. Cox

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what policy is followed at Ashford remand centre in allowing visits to people being held on remand; on what days visits are allowed; how people are informed of this and if he will make a statement.

Mr. John Patten

Because of a substantial increase in the population of Ashford remand centre and the limited accommodation available for visits, my right hon. Friend authorised, exceptionally, last year a reduction in the minimum of 15 minutes on Mondays to Saturdays normally allowed for visits to remand prisoners. The current provision at Ashford is for 15-minute visits on alternate weekdays with 10-minute visits on Saturdays. Inmates are informed of the visiting arrangements on arrival at the establishment and details are contained in notices on all landings. When next of kin are notified of an inmate's reception, information on visiting arrangements is provided. In addition, details are displayed on notices in the visitors' centre outside the remand centre, at the gate and in the passage leading to the visits room.

Ordinary Visitors and business visitors admitted to the United Kingdom between November 1985 and March 1987
Number
Nationality
India Pakistan Bangladesh Ghana Nigeria
VISITORS
1985
November 7,080 3,300 520 1,730 9,280
December 8,490 4,120 600 1,820 12,760
1986
January 5,070 2,930 420 1,250 8,020
February 5,890 2,640 340 1,140 7,100
March 6,970 3,940 500 1,270 9,100
April 10,220 5,140 580 1,160 8,020
May 18,350 6,120 980 1,510 10,110
June 20,410 10,040 1,080 1,670 10,410
July 19,960 14,770 1,600 2,730 20,420
August 16,740 8,750 1,360 2,920 19,200
September 13,210 6,210 1,060 2,000 12,320
October 8,520 4,340 850 1,290 5,660
November 5,450 2,610 500 810 3,480
December 4,730 3,090 510 970 4,400
1987
January 3,730 2,130 400 680 3,500
February 3,710 1,880 310 590 1,750
March 4,890 2,650 380 680 1,930
BUSINESS VISITORS
1985
November 2,280 1,090 180 770 5,400
December 1,680 650 190 590 2,950
1986
January 1,970 680 100 500 4,320
February 2,260 760 120 590 5,530
March 2,340 870 110 510 5,280
April 2,530 1,060 160 610 5,330
May 3,290 1,170 210 700 5,830
June 2,940 1,010 180 600 5,460
July 2,650 1,080 150 530 5,520
August 2,000 890 150 620 4,080
September 4,030 1,150 170 680 5,650
October 2,780 1,050 170 570 3,320
November 2,490 930 150 570 2,820
December 1,480 690 110 370 1,820
1987
January 1,950 780 90 460 1,850
February 2,110 710 100 490 1,820
March 2,510 920 100 620 2,820