HC Deb 23 March 1983 vol 39 cc418-9W
Mr. Skeet

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether vacant land adjacent to Bedford prison has been acquired for expansion of prison facilities.

Mr. Mellor

No, but the possibility is being examined.

Mr. Skeet

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department for how many years it is expected that Bedford prison will be used as a transit prison serving Crown courts in a number of locations.

Mr. Mellor

We have no proposals to change the existing role of Bedford prison as a local prison receiving prisoners direct from the Crown court centres and magistrates courts within its catchment area.

Mr. Skeet

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the industrial dispute at Bedford prison was a contributory factor in the recent escape of four prisoners; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Mellor

We have no indication of any connection between the escape of four young remand prisoners from Her Majesty's prison Bedford early on Monday 14 March and the recent industrial action at the prison. An investigation into the circumstances of the escape is being undertaken by the governor.

Mr. Skeet

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what he proposes to do about overcrowded conditions in Bedford prison.

Mr. Mellor

The overcrowded conditions at Bedford prison can be relieved in the long term only by the provision of additional places elsewhere through the prison building programme. In the meantime the population levels are closely monitored and prisoners are transferred to other establishments as vacancies arise.

Mr. Skeet

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the capital expenditure on Bedford prison in each of the past seven years; and what investment would now be required to reduce overcrowding.

Mr. Mellor

Capital expenditure on Bedford prison in each of the past seven years has been as follows:

£
1982–83 (To date) 1,124
1981–82 3,839
1980–81 14,829
1979–80 8,928
1978–79 21,392
1977–78 10,692
1976–77 24,250

No further investment at Bedford would have much impact on overcrowding, although living and working conditions could be improved, if more land were available.

Mr. Skeet

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many staff there are at Bedford prison; how many prisoners there were on 15 March; and how many prisoners there were on average per cell.

Mr. Mellor

On 15 March there were 162 prison officer class staff in post at Bedford prison, and the prison population was 362. Three hundred and thirty-five of these prisoners were accommodated in cells, with an average of 2.36 prisoners to each cell.