§ Mr. Alex Carlileasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) whether he has any proposals to end the use of Her Majesty's prison, Styal, for youth custody prisoners; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what policy is followed for the accommodation of youth custody prisoners in Her Majesty's prison, Styal.
§ Mr. MellorSeparate living accommodation is provided at Her Majesty's prison and youth custody centre, Styal, for those sentenced to youth custody and to imprisonment: the facilities of the establishment are shared by both groups. Selected youth custody trainees are, however, located in the prison and selected adults in the youth custody centre. This gives maximum flexibility in the use of the accommodation and allows some mixing of female adult prisoners with female young offenders which can be beneficial to both groups. We have no plans to alter this general arrangement. As a response to recent incidents of misbehaviour, the youth custody trainees at Styal have, as an interim measure, been dispersed more widely throughout the establishment, so as to benefit more from the stabilising influence of the adult prisoners.
§ Mr. Alex Carlileasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many prisoners under the age of 17 years are held at Her Majesty's prison, Styal;
(2) how many adult prisoners and youth custody prisoners, respectively, are detained at Her Majesty's prison, Styal.
§ Mr. MellorOn 25 January 1985 190 adults and 47 youth custody trainees, of whom six were aged under 17 years, were accommodated at Her Majesty's prison and youth custody centre, Styal.