HC Deb 22 November 1985 vol 87 cc306-7W
Mr. Kilroy-Silk

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department for how many hours in the week ended 2 November, or any other recent typical week, the workshops in Manchester 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. Mellor

In the week ended 2 November 1985, the five workshops at Manchester prison were open for an average of 19 hours employing an average of 33 prisoners. In addition, 246 prisoners were employed on domestic, catering and maintenance duties.

Ninety-nine classes were held during this week, with total class hours of 188. The average number of inmates attending each class was 10.1. About 200 inmates attended at least one class. It is not possible, other than at disproportionate cost, to calculate the average amount of time spent out of cells.

Mr. Kilroy-Silk

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the maximum number of prisoners who can be employed in workshops in Manchester prison on any one day.

Mr. Mellor

Two hundred and nine.