§ Mr. JannerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for how many prisoners Leicester prison was constructed; how many prisoners it holds at present; how many and what percentage of those prisoners are living three to a cell; what is the size of those cells; how many hours a day those prisoners on average spend locked into those cells; and what is the maximum time spent by prisoners locked in their cells.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggThe following is the available information.
Leicester prison was constructed as a county gaol in the 1820s, and information on the capacity of the buildings is not now readily available. The inmate accommodation was demolished and replaced in the 1880s.
On 4 May, 358 prisoners were held: 207 of these were located three to a cell, representing 57 per cent. of the total.
Most prisoners are in cells the dimensions of which are approximately 3.9 m by 2.2 m (8.5 sq m). Other cells vary slightly from these dimensions.
Time spent in cells is difficult to measure systematically because prisoners leave their cells for many different purposes. Locally assembled information shows that, in the seven-day period ended 4 May 1988, prisoners generally spent about 16.5 hours (sentenced prisoners serving 18 months or over) or 17.5 hours (unsentenced prisoners or those serving shorter sentences) locked in cells each day, with the following exceptions: prisoners in the special security unit (13 hours); in security category A and on the escape list (19 hours); in the prison hospital (19.5 hours); and segregated under rule 43 at their own request (19 hours).
The maximum time spent locked in cell may exceptionally extend to 23 hours a day for a small number of prisoners segregated under rule 43 for reasons for good order and discipline or who have reduced mobility due to sickness.