§ 24. Mrs. ClwydTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of conditions at(a) Holloway prison and (b) other prisons at which women prisoners are being held. [7873]
§ Miss WiddecombeThe current conditions at Holloway have been brought to the attention of my right hon. and learned Friend by the Chief Inspector of Prisons. He expressed grave concern over a restricted regime, poor hygiene and cleanliness, poor standards of health care, low staff morale and the general management of the establishment.
I have asked the temporary Director General of the Prison Service to add to steps already taken before the chief inspector's visit to bring the establishment up to an acceptable operational standard.