HC Deb 02 May 1985 vol 78 cc212-3W
28. Mr. Leigh

asked the Secretary of State for, the Home Department if he will make a statement on progress in the prison building programme.

Mr. Mellor

The first of the the new prisons in the programme to be completed received its first inmates in February. Two further new prisons are due for completion later this year, two in 1986 and three in 1987. Eight other new establishments are at various stages of planning and design. In addition we are undertaking a substantial programme of repair, modernisation and redevelopment of the existing prison estate. The building programme remains on course to end overcrowding by the end of this decade.