Open Prisons

HC Deb 18 March 1975 vol 888 cc393-4W

Mr. Watkinson

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why the number of persons in open prisons is declining.

Dr. Summerskill:

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply that I gave to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Ormskirk (Mr. Kilroy-Silk) on 6th March.—[Vol. 887, c. 469.]

Mr. Watkinson

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why the number of open prisons has declined from 14 in 1974 to 11 in 1975; and whether it is his policy to run down this form of imprisonment.

Dr. Summerskill:

On the first part of my hon. Friend's Question I would refer him to the reply I gave to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Ormskirk (Mr. Kilroy-Silk) on 6th March—[Vol. 887, c. 469.] My right hon. Friend has made it clear that open establishments for adult and young offenders will continue to make an important contribution to the prison system.