HC Deb 31 October 1990 vol 178 cc553-4W
Mr. Cox

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the number of inmates in prisons in England and Wales who have internal sanitation within their cells as of 1 October; what was the number on I October 1985; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs. Rumbold

As at 8 July 1990, the latest date for which information is available, 24,175 prison places, or about 55 per cent. had access to night sanitation. Of these, 11,608 places had lavatories in cells; the remainder had access through electronic locking systems or unrestricted access.

Similar information is not available for October 1985, but in February 1986, 19,200 places, or 47 per cent., had access to night sanitation.

Mr. Cox

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what is the present number of applicants from inmates in prisons in England and Wales seeking transfers to an open prison; what has been the average waiting time for transfer once it has been approved; and if he will make a statement;

(2) for the Home Department what is the policy of his Department as to the transfer of inmates from one prison to another in England and Wales who are not regarded as either a security or disciplinary risk; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs. Rumbold

The prison service seeks to transfer prisoners to appropriate conditions and locations as soon as possible after they have been sentenced. Some low-risk prisoners may be retained to help with the day-to-day operation of a higher-security establishment.

Details of the number of prisoners who are awaiting transfer to open conditions, and waiting times, are not collected centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Mr. Cox

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the number of new prisons opened in England and Wales; what is the approved staffing levels of such prisons in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs. Rumbold

The eight new prisons opened in the last five years, together with their current target staffing levels for officer grades, including principal and senior officers and specialists, and the complements for other staff are listed in the table:

Establishment Opening date Officer target staffing level Other staff complement
Wayland 1985 152 98
Stocken 1985 130 94.5
Thorn Cross 1985 81 56.5
Full Sutton 1987 389 128.5
Littlehey 1988 155 108
The Mount 1988 171 89.5
Swaleside 1988 204 101.5
Garth 1988 210 116

The historical data requested are not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Mr. Cox

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his Department's policy on deciding the location for visits between prison inmates; what steps are taken to minimise the amount of travelling involved and escort costs; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs. Rumbold

Each case is considered individually. Governors are encouraged to minimise travelling distances and costs, and wherever possible to use established escorting links between prisons. Prisoners may be temporarily transferred to the establishment in which their relative is being held, or to one nearby, so that the distance for individual escorts is kept to a minimum. It is sometimes possible to use an established interchange centre as the location for a visit, the prisoners concerned being returned to their establishments the same day.

Mr. Cox

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what surveys have been undertaken at prisons in England and Wales built over 80 years ago and for which plans for the installation of internal sanitation are being considered to ensure that the existing sewer system within the prison is capable of taking the proposed new internal system; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs. Rumbold

Surveys have been carried out on the extent and condition of sewers and drains at all prisons over 80 years old, for which there are plans to install integral sanitation. As detailed plans are drawn up for each scheme further surveys are being undertaken as necessary, to ensure the additional sanitary facilities are able to function properly.

Mr. Cox

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department by whom the allocation of long-term inmates is decided; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs. Rumbold

Until recently, this was a matter for prison service regional directors, with the exception of life sentence and security category A prisoners who were allocated centrally. Since 25 September, following reorganisation in which prison service regions have now been abolished, the allocation of prisoners sentenced to 10 years or more is determined centrally within the directorate of custody. Shorter sentence prisoners are allocated at establishment level by staff in local prisons.