Open Prisons

HC Deb 26 February 1975 vol 887 cc162-3W

Mr. Watkinson

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners are in open prisons in the United Kingdom in 1975; and what were the numbers in 1974, 1973, 1972, and 1971, respectively.

Dr. Summerskill

On 31st January 1975 there were 3,047 prisoners in open prisons in England. The equivalent numbers in earlier years were:

31st January 1974	3,225
31st January 1973	3,567
31st January 1972	3,673
31st January 1971	3,877

There are no open prisons in Wales, and responsibility for prisons elsewhere in the United Kingdom rests with my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Mr. Watkinson

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of prisoners spent some time in an open prison before being released, in 1974, 1973, 1972 and 1971, respectively.

Dr. Summerskill

I am obtaining the information and will write to by hon. Friend.

Mr. Watkinson

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many open prisons are presently in use in the United Kingdom; and how many were in use in 1974, 1973, 1972 and 1971, respectively.

Dr. Summerskill

There are 11 open prisons in use in England and Wales. There were 14 in use in 1974, 15 in use in 1973 and 14 in use in 1972 and 1971.

Mr. Watkinson

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what category of prisoners can be sent to open prisons; and how a prisoner qualifies for the category which would take him to an open prison.

Dr. Summerskill

Prisoners in security category D are those whom it is considered can reasonably be trusted to serve their sentences in open conditions. Eligibility for transfer to an open prison is, however, subject to certain exceptions, including the prisoner's physical or mental condition; and each case is decided individually in the light of all the known circumstances of the prisoner's character, past record and present circumstances. In some areas there are also local agreements restricting the types of prisoner who may be transferred to a particular prison.