HC Deb 18 February 1986 vol 92 cc122-3W
Mr. Kilroy-Silk

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the present operating capacity of Holloway prison.

Mr. Mellor

350.

Mr. Kilroy-Silk

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what plans for the development of a positive regime at Holloway prison have been drawn up by the regional director and governor in consultation with staff associations, as recommended by the Holloway special project committee;

(2) what plans there are to allow appropriate inmates at Holloway prison more freedom of movement within the prison as recommended by the report of the Holloway special project committee.

Mr. Mellor

A multi-disciplinary group of staff at Holloway, under the governor's direction, is examining ways of improving the regime and providing more freedom of movement within the prison for those inmates for whom it is appropriate, in discussion with senior management, staff and the staff associations.

Mr. Kilroy-Silk

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department at what time prisoners are usually locked up for the night at Holloway prison.

Mr. Mellor

Between 7.30 pm and 7.45 pm if staff are available for evening duties; if not, at 4.30 pm.

Mr. Kilroy-Silk

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the mother and baby unit at Holloway prison has moved to its new accommodation.

Mr. Mellor

Not yet.

Mr. Kilroy-Silk

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether babies from the mother and baby unit at Holloway prison are taken outside the prison in order to increase their contact with the outside world.

Mr. Mellor

Not as a matter of course, but any case in which this seemed to be in the child's best interests would be sympathetically considered.

Mr. Kilroy-Silk

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many education classes took place at Holloway prison in the daytime and evening, respectively; and how many prisoners on average attended each class, in the most recent week for which statistics are available.

Mr. Mellor

During the two-week period 20 January to 3 February, 37 daytime classes were attended by 144 inmates. Fifteen evening classes were attended by 56 inmates.

Mr. Kilroy-Silk

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if prisoners in C1 unit at Holloway prison currently have regular access to the skills training unit;

(2) whether prisoners from C1 unit at Holloway prison are allowed to take work from the skills training unit back to C1 unit.

Mr. Mellor

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Cheltenham (Mr. Irving) on 23 January, at columns 274–75, on the question of access. Prisoners from C1 unit are allowed to take paper, pencils and crayons from the skills training unit back to C1 unit.

Mr. Kilroy-Silk

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many hours a day on average prisoners in C1 unit at Holloway prison spent locked up in their cells in the most recent week for which statistics are available.

Mr. Mellor

My reply on 23 January to my hon. Friend the Member for Cheltenham (Mr. Irving), at column 274, sets out the most recent information.