HL Deb 15 November 1989 vol 512 cc1391-2WA
Baroness Darcy (de Knayth)

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the guidelines for prison building include anything explicit to ensure that facilities and access for disabled people are provided.

The Minister of State, Home Office (Earl Ferrers)

The prison design briefing guide for all future training prisons provides for all circulation routes to be made suitable for the passage of wheelchairs; for suitable access ramps to be fitted at the entry points to all buildings and for lifts suitable for those with disabilities to be installed in certain buildings where access is required to upper floors. Provision is also included for toilets for the use of those with disabilities. These standards are taken into account in the major refurbishment of the older prisons as and when this is possible.

Baroness Darcy (de Knayth)

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How they reconcile the fact that the visits section of the recently opened Swaleside prison is on the first floor without a lift with the statement made by Earl Ferrers on 7th November (HL Deb., col. 540) that the needs of disabled people are taken into account when new prisons are designed.

Earl Ferrers

The new prison design briefing guide for training prisons, which was published earlier this year, will form the basis for the design of other categories of establishments and set the standards for all future new prison buildings. The guide includes specific provision for the needs of those with disabilities. The design for Swaleside was finalised in 1983 and therefore does not include the latest standards.