§ Mr. BurnsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures are being taken to end slopping out in Chelmsford prison; when the practice is expected to end; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mrs. RumboldPreparatory work on providing in-cell sanitation at HM prison, Chelmsford, is now in progress. The first cells with in-cell sanitation will be available early in 1992 and the programme will be completed by 1994.
§ Mr. BurnsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many prisoners there were in Chelmsford prison on 1 December 1990 and 1 December 1991; what is the maximum number of prisoners meant to be in Chelmsford prison; and if he will make a statement on what actions are being taken to reduce overcrowding in Chelmsford prison;
(2) if he will make a statement on the number of prisoners being held in police cells at Chelmsford police station; and what actions are being taken to alleviate the situation.
§ Mrs. RumboldThe readily available information for the period in question is as follows:
Number Monday 3 December 1990 376 Monday 2 December 1991 389 The certified normal accommodation—that is the uncrowded capacity of the establishment—is 232 and its operational capacity is 392.
The prison service has now arranged for young men awaiting trial to be moved from Chelmsford prison and held in Rochester prison. This had removed the need for Chelmsford prisoners to be held in police cells. On 11 December, the latest date for which figures are available, there were five prisoners in Chelmsford police station who should have been held in Bedford prison.
My right hon. Friend and I regard reducing the number of prisoners in police cells as a high priority for the prison service. Every effort is being made to make the most efficient possible use of existing prison accommodation. New prison accommodation which will be provided in eight prisons which are due to open in 1992 should make a significant impact on this problem.