§ 73. Mr. Dribergasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many prisoners are now living in hostels and working for outside employers; what is the average weekly amount earned by these prisoners; how this sum is allocated for maintenance in the hostels, compulsory savings, National Insurance, or other purposes; to what extent the hostel scheme represents a net saving of public funds; to what extent it has resulted in a higher proportion of ex-prisoners whose rehabilitation is found to be lasting, as compared with other ex-prisoners; and if he will extend the scheme substantially.
§ Miss BaconAbout 220 prisoners. Precise averages are not available but most of the men earn between £10 and £15 a week. A typical married man earning £13 a week pays about £5 10s. 0d. to his family, £3 5s. 6d. for board and lodging in the hostel, £1 for daily fares and expenses and 13s. 8d. National Insurance contribution. He is allowed between £1 and £1 10s. 0d. pocket money and saves about £1 a week. The net saving to public funds cannot be reliably assessed. Research into the scheme is in progress. Provisional conclusions suggest that the scheme significantly reduces the likelihood of reconviction. My right hon. 239W and learned Friend is very anxious to extend the scheme and plans for this are in hand.