HC Deb 02 December 1987 vol 123 cc585-6W
Mr. Butler

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he intends to take action to relieve pressures on Risley remand centre.

Mr. John Patten

We have taken a number of measures to relieve the pressure of the overcrowding at Risley remand centre. We took advantage of the reduction in the prison population brought about by the change in the remission rules earlier this year, to create more space for remand prisoners elsewhere in the north-west. We opened New Hall as a female prison in August, to take female prisoners who would otherwise have been sent to Risley. Male prisoners are drafted out at regular intervals to the trials unit at Preston prison. We have announced plans to provide accommodation for young offenders on remand at Hindley youth custody centre. We shall continue to keep the situation at Risley under review.