HC Deb 19 December 1990 vol 183 cc198-9W
Mr. Andy Stewart

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has reached any conclusions on the review of the prison estate following his consultation with staff, trade unions and boards of visitors.

Mr. Kenneth Baker

My right hon. Friend the then Home Secretary announced in reply to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Westminster, North (Sir J. Wheeler) on 17 July at columns 468–70, following a review of the prison estate, a number of proposals involving either changes in the role of prison service establishments or in some cases, closure. I have carefully considered the comments and suggestions received since then, including a number from right hon. and hon. Members. I have now concluded that most of the proposals which emerged from the review should be implemented, although further thought should be given to some.

I have decided that two young offender institutions—Campfield House and Lowdham Grange—should close by the end of March 1991. In addition, HMYOI Eastwood Park and Her Majesty's prison Northeye should close in 1992–93. I have also decided that the closure of Her Majesty's prison Lancaster should be brought forward to coincide with the opening of a neighbouring new establishment, HMYOI Lancaster Farms, currently scheduled for 1992–93.

I have decided that the changes of role proposed in the consultation exercise should also go ahead, with the exception of the proposals relating to Send, Brockhill, Oxford, Risley and Thorp Arch. The changes of role proposed for the first four were designed to meet problems which the latest population figures suggest may not now arise. It is only sensible therefore that these establishments should continue for the present with their existing tasks. The intention now is to close Brockhill when it is no longer needed for its present role, the timing being phased with the opening of Brinsford and Blakenhurst which are new establishments both currently scheduled to be available in the latter part of 1991–92.

I have also concluded that the building programme offers an alternative and quicker means of offering relief to the young prisoner population in Leeds and Hull than the conversion of Thorp Arch would have done. It is therefore intended to locate these prisoners in the new establishment at Moorland during the second half of next year. Moorland will offer the most modern accommodation, and the opportunity for the prison service to develop an improved regime for those on remand.

Revised projections for the prison population to 1998 were published in Home Office statistical bulletin 33/90, a copy of which is in the Library. These projections were substantially lower than those previously published. Prison service management will therefore be conducting a further review of the estate in the light of this trend in the prison population and the resources available.