§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if there are any plans to establish further special units for rule 43 prisoners on the lines of those at Maidstone, Gloucester and Wakefield; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MellorThere are no plans at present to establish further special units in addition to the national special units at Maidstone, Gloucester and Wakefield and the regional units for vulnerable prisoners at Gartree and Albany. It is our policy to ensure that prisoners resume association wherever this can be achieved by means such as transfer to another establishment. Special units are designed to cater for those who are unable to resume association under other conditions. We shall continue to keep the need and scope for provision of further special units under review, subject to the availability of accommodation and the overriding need to relieve overcrowding within the system.