HC Deb 02 July 1976 vol 914 cc310-1W
Mrs. Renée Short

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made as a result of the decision made in 1968 to convert Albany, Gartree and Blundeston for use for long-term, high security risk prisoners; and which new prisons also have these facilities.

Mr. John

Perimeter security and security of buildings have been improved at Gartree and Albany to accommodate category A prisoners and they have served as dispersal prisons since 1969 and 1970 respectively. Long Lartin has similar standards of security and has received category A prisoners since 1973. Blundeston was not selected as a dispersal prison, but Hull, Parkhurst, Wakefield and Wormwood Scrubs also form part of the dispersal prison system.

Mrs. Renée Short

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department which Ministry of Defence camps have been converted for use as secure or semisecure accommodation for prisoners since 1966.

Mr. John

Since 1966 the following closed establishments have been, or are being, provided by conversion of former Ministry of Defence camps and by associated new building:

  • Acklington, Northumberland (i) Category C Prison (ii) Young Offender Establishment (Castington).
  • Channings Wood, Devon, Category C Prison.
  • Deerbold, Co. Durham, Young Offender Establishment.
  • Haverigg, Cumbria, Category C Prison.
  • Northeye, East Sussex, Category C Prison.
  • Ranby, Nottinghamshire, Category C Prison.
  • Stradishall, Suffolk, (i) Category C Prison (Highpoint) to be developed into Category B Prison (ii) Detention Centre (Northridge).

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