§ Mr. Irvingasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the average population of Brixton prison in the week ended 2 November or in any other recent typical week.
§ Mr. MellorOn 31 October 1985 the population of Brixton prison was about 990. Average weekly population figures are not recorded centrally.
§ Mr. Irvingasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many square feet of exercise space are available to prisoners in Brixton prison.
§ Mr. MellorNormally there are 39,461 sq ft of exercise space. Building work has resulted in the loss of 7,782 sq ft since October 1985, but this is expected to be reinstated by the end of this year.
§ Mr. Irvingasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department for how many hours in the week ended 2 November or in any other recent typical week, the workshops in Brixton prison were open; what was the average number of prisoners employed; how many classes took place and for how many hours; what was the average number of inmates in each class; how many individual prisoners attended at least one class during the week; and how much time on average each prisoner spent out of his cell during that week.
§ Mr. MellorIn the week ended 2 November, the one workshop at Brixton prison was open for 20 hours and employed 20 remand prisoners who requested work. In addition, 100 convicted prisoners were employed on various domestic and maintenance duties. Forty-two classes were held during the week, with a total class hours of 78½ and the average number of prisoners attending each class was six. Fifty-five prisoners attended at least one class. It is not possible to calculate the average amount of172W time spent out of cells, since this covers many things besides work and education; for example, visits, medical treatment and applications to see the governor.
§ Mr. Irvingasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the maximum number of prisoners who can be employed in workshops in Brixton prison in any one day.
§ Mr. MellorTwenty-five.