HC Deb 30 July 1984 vol 65 cc63-4W
Mr. Corbett

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what changes have been made to the regime at Winson green prison, Birmingham, since the Chief Inspector of Prisons' report on the establishment.

Mr. Hurd

The tailoring workshop has been closed, but the number of inmates engaged in full-time work at the prison has risen from about 300 at the time of the inspection to about 350. With regard to education, it is estimated that inmates will have spent over 60,000 hours attending educational classes during 1984, as compared with about 35,000 in 1981. The range of evening classes has been extended, and tuition in the cell has been made available for remand and category A prisoners and those segregated under rule 43.

Mr. Corbett

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many baths, showers and toilets are available to (a) sentenced prisoners and (b) prisoners on remand at Winson green prison, Birmingham; how many baths or showers each prisoner is allowed each week; and how many changes of (i) underclothes and (ii) top clothes each prisoner is allowed each week.

Mr. Hurd

On the wing for unconvicted prisoners there are three baths, six showers and 22 toilets. For sentenced prisoners there are six baths, 43 showers, 80 toilets and 64 urinals. In addition, there are shower and toilet facilities in the PE block, the hospital, the reception area, the workshops and adjacent to the exercise yard; these are used by both sentenced and remand prisoners. All prisoners receive a basic allowance of one shower or bath per week. Extra showers are provided where needed because of the nature of prisoners' work or activities, or for medical reasons. Prisoners receive a change of underwear once a week. A change of top clothing is provided as and when necessary.