HC Deb 03 July 2000 vol 353 cc70-2W
Helen Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what research his Department has(a) commissioned and (b) undertaken on the effect on children of the imposition of custodial sentences on their mothers. [128122]

Mr. Boateng

The most recently published study of imprisoned mothers was 'Imprisoned Women and Mothers' by Caddle and Crisp. It was commissioned by the Prison Service and published in 1997 (Home Office Research Study 162). The entire female prisoner population at the end of 1994, comprising 1,766 women, were surveyed. In-depth interviews were conducted with the 61 per cent. of that population who were either pregnant or mothers of children under 18.

In the report of a 'Review of Principles, Policies and Procedures on Mothers and Babies/Children in Prison' (Her Majesty's Prison Service July 1999) and the Prison Service's Response and Action Plan (December 1999), a number of areas of research concerning the children of women prisoners was recommended. The Prison Service is giving consideration to these recommendations. Copies of both documents were placed in the Library.

Helen Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent discussions he has had on the establishment of family visiting areas in prisons; and if he will make a statement. [128124]

Mr. Boateng

The Prison Service places enormous importance on encouraging prisoners to maintain close family ties and to making family visits to prisoners as comfortable and productive as possible. This relates not only to the specific establishment of family visiting areas but also to a range of facilities such as the provision of visitors' centres and play areas. Moreover, there is increasing emphasis on delivering initiatives to fully maximise the potential for allowing prisoners to have extended contact with families through longer visits and temporary release; and facilitating the visits of families from long distances through the provision of financial support and assistance with accommodation.

Helen Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to enable women who receive custodial sentences to make arrangements for the care of their dependent children prior to the start of their sentence. [128121]

Mr. Charles Clarke

The Government have no immediate plans to make new arrangements for women or men with parental responsibilities to arrange child care prior to starting a custodial sentence. There may be opportunities while pre-sentence reports are being prepared for child care arrangements to be considered.

However, the Government do take seriously the needs of women offenders in the criminal justice system, and a working group has been established to consider a strategy on women offenders, including the range of sentences available. Also, the team undertaking the Review of the Sentencing Framework, which was announced on 16 May, will bear the needs of women offenders in mind in formulating its recommendations.

Helen Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the number of women prisoners who suffer from(a) drug and (b) alcohol addiction; and what proportion of these women are involved in detoxification programmes while in prison. [128123]

Mr. Boateng

The report of a study of Psychiatric Morbidity Amongst Prisoners in England and Wales, undertaken in 1997 for the Department of Health by the Office for National Statistics, indicated that in the year before entering prison, 36 per cent. of women on remand and 39 per cent. of sentenced women reported engaging in hazardous drinking. Fifty four per cent. of women on remand and 41 per cent. of sentenced women reported some degree of drug dependence.

The information sought in the second part of the question is not available in the form requested. Returns from Prison Service establishments show that in 1998–99, when almost 16,000 women were screened on reception into prison by healthcare staff, 3,091 completed drugs detoxification programmes and 413 completed alcohol detoxification programmes.

Helen Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects the working group established to develop a strategy for the treatment of women in prison to report. [128127]

Mr. Boateng

The report of the working group and the timing of any publication is under consideration.