§ Lord Harris of Greenwichasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many additional cells they intend to provide in existing prisons in the next three years; what will be the cost; and how many additional staff they propose to engage.
Earl FerrersResponsibility for the subject of this Question has been delegated to the Prison Service and its Director General, Mr. Derek Lewis. The Director General has therefore responded to the Question and his letter is given below.
Letter to Lord Harris of Greenwich from the Director General of the Prison Service, Mr. Derek Lewis, dated 10th January 1994.
Lord Ferrers has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the number of additional cells the Prison Service intends to provide in existing prisons.
As recently announced by the Home Secretary, it is intended to create some 2,000 new places at existing establishments by building houseblocks. The total cost is estimated to be £117 million. This includes the money needed to enlarge support facilities such as kitchens, and to provide the additional space that will be needed at some prisons for activities such as work and visits. The recent PES settlement allows for a staff increase of 1,050.