§ Mr. John EvansTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what further steps the Government plan to take to reduce the problem of overcrowding in prisons and remand centres.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggWe are implementing the programme of measures to produce additional prison places in the short term announced by my right hon. Friend on 30 March. Two new prisons will open in August and September this year, and two temporary prisons will open later in the autumn. Together, these establishments will add about 1,800 places. Capacity at existing establishments will be increased by some 800 places before 451W the end of the current financial year by the installation of secure prefabricated accommodation. A further 1,000 places will be provided in purpose-built blocks at existing establishments around the end of 1989. Taken together, these measures will provide over 3,500 extra places by the end of the next financial year. At the same time, the capacity of many establishments is being increased by smaller scale building works and the injection of additional resources.