HL Deb 29 March 1984 vol 450 cc462-3WA
Lord Avebury

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Over what period they expect the structural work needed at Frankland Prison to be performed; what is the expected cost; how many category A prisoners will be housed in the establishment over that period; and what security risks are created by the work.

Lord Elton

The programme of remedial work which is currently being undertaken on the roofs, cell windows, ablution areas and water mains at Frankland is due to be completed in April 1985. The total cost is expected to be about £1,190,000, but, depending on the determination of contractual liabilities, the amount ultimately falling on public funds may be less than this.

In addition to these remedial items there is also a programme of other work at the establishment designed to improve existing facilities, including the provision of additional electrical services, enlargement of the staff locker room, provision of a staff tea room, and installation of a separate fire main. This further work will cost about £320,000 and should be completed at about the same time as the remedial work.

When all the work is complete the proportion of Category A prisoners accommodated at Frankland will be comparable to that in other dispersal prisons. In the meantime, the number held will fluctuate depending on operational considerations.

Any building work in a prison inevitably carries certain security risks, against which precautions are taken, but the work at Frankland does not create any exceptional risks.