§ 52. Mr. Awberyasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department in what year Bristol prison was built; what number of prisoners it was made to accommodate; what number of prisoners are now in the prison; what is the average number accommodated in each cell; and what steps are being taken to improve the situation.
§ Mr. Vosper:Bristol prison was completed in 1883 and was designed to accommodate 192 men and 60 women. On 9th February it held 390 prisoners, of whom 198 were three in a cell, 133 in single cells, and 59 in other accommodation. To reduce overcrowding more than 30 prisons and other penal establishments are being built or planned as a matter of urgency.