HC Deb 31 July 1980 vol 989 cc790-1W
28. Mr. Charles R. Morris

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he proposes to take to deal with overcrowding at Her Majesty's Strangeways prison in Manchester.

Mr. Brittan

The overcrowding at Manchester prison reflects the continuing pressure on the prison system generally. Some relief has been provided by Wymott, but Manchester in turn has had to relieve Risley remand centre where urgent repair work is being done to part of the accommodation. The position at Manchester as elsewhere will improve if the courts respond to recent calls for shorter sentences in appropriate cases. It should also improve when the work at Risley has been completed.