§ Mr. Charles Irvingasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of the 42,000 men and women in prison can be regarded as suitable for open prison conditions.
§ Mr. JohnOn 31st December 1976 there were 3,383 persons in open prisons in England and Wales. No meaningful 519W estimate is possible of the number of persons at present in closed establishments for whom transfer to open conditions may be recommended in due course following observation and classification.
§ Mr. Charles Irvingasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what criteria are used for selecting men or women for open prisons.
§ Mr. JohnMale prisoners in security Category D, and female prisoners who, although not categorised, are regarded as equivalent to the male Category D, are those whom it is considered can be reasonably trusted in open conditions. Eligibility for transfer to an open prison is, however, subject to certain exceptions, including the prisoner's physical and mental condition; and each case is decided individually in the light of all known circumstances of the prisoner's character, past record and present circumstances. In some areas there are also local agreements restricting the types of male prisoners who may be transferred to a particular prison.
§ Mr. Charles Irvingasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the cost of closing down open prisons in 1975 and 1976.
§ Mr. JohnNo open prisons were closed in 1975 or 1976. Three open prisons were closed in 1974 and two open borstals in 1975. I regret that the financial information requested is not readily available and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.