HC Deb 12 December 1984 vol 69 cc486-7W
Mr. Corbett

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much time the prisoners in the CI unit for the severely disturbed at Holloway prison spend in their cell wing and how much time in the skills training unit; and whether this programme was followed during the week ended 8 December.

Mr. Mellor

Women located on C1 unit leave the unit to attend the skills training unit and also for a variety of other purposes, including visits and exercise. The skills training unit generally operates for one and half to two hours in the morning and for one and a half hours in the afternoon. For the week ending 8 December, the skills training unit opened on two mornings and three afternoons; on two mornings and one afternoon classes were conducted on C1 unit by the skills training unit staff.

Mr. Corbett

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what workshop facilities are available in Holloway prison; how much time each prisoner allocated to this work spends in the workshop each day; and how much time such prisoners spent in the workshop each day during the week ended 8 December.

Mr. Mellor

There are two workshops at Holloway prison; light textiles and engineering assembly. In the quarter ended 30 June 1984 prisoners in each workshop worked an average of one and a half hours daily. The workshops have been closed since July 1984 due to shortage of staff. It is anticipated that they will open again after Christmas.

Mr. Corbett

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, for the week ended 8 December, what was the number of prisoners in Holloway prison; how many prisoners were allocated work duties outside their cell wing; and for how many hours per day.

Mr. Mellor

The number of prisoners in Holloway prison during the week ending 8 December ranged from 306 on 2 December to 345 on 8 December. The current work force stands at 61. Normal work hours for 37 prisoners are from 9.15 am to 11.30 am and from 2.15 pm to 4.00 pm. Workers in the kitchen, reception and officers' mess are engaged for rather longer hours.

Mr. Corbett

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the full complement of prison officers, of all grades, at Holloway prison; and what was the actual number of officers on duty each day during the week ended 8 December.

Mr. Mellor

The authorised staffing level of prison officers on discipline duties at Holloway is 335. The staff in post figure is 317, but seven additional staff were posted to Holloway on detached duty throughout the week ending 8 December. The number on duty each day varies according to the shift system and routine in operation at the prison and is also affected by the incidence of annual leave and sick leave and the absence of staff undergoing training. During the week ending 8 December the numbers on duty througout each 24 hour period were:

  • 2 December: 184
  • 3 December: 218
  • 4 December: 201
  • 5 December: 208
  • 6 December: 204
  • 7 December: 118
  • 8 December: 122