HC Deb 12 May 1966 vol 728 c112W
54. Sir W. Teeling

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many fresh detention centres have been planned, are in the process of being completed, and have been completed since the passing of the Malicious Damage Act in July 1964; how many of such centres turn away people sentenced to be detained there; and where such persons go instead.

Miss Bacon

Seven detention centres additional to the 18 now in use and three extensions to existing centres are proposed; of these, two new centres and one extension are under construction. Two centres have been opened since July 1964.

No person ordered to be detained in a detention centre is turned away; but in general courts are asked to ascertain that there is a vacancy before ordering detention. It is quite frequently necessary to inform courts that there is no vacancy, but as their enquiries are often tentative no firm estimate is available of the extent to which the number of places at present falls short of the demand.

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