HC Deb 16 December 1992 vol 216 cc206-7W
Mr. Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what response he is making to the report by Judge Stephen Tumin on Bullwood Hall.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

I made a statement on Judge Tumin's report on 1 December when the report was published. I shall send the hon. Member a copy.

Mr. Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many complaints he has received on conditions at Bullwood Hall during the last 12 months.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

Four complaints about conditions at Bullwood Hall have been received by the area manager during the last 12 months.

Mr. Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has for improving the conditions of prisoners serving life sentences at Bullwood Hall; and for how many hours each day they are currently locked in their cells.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

The governor and her staff are constantly striving to improve life for all prisoners in Bullwood Hall as resources allow. New staff attendance systems will be in place by January to meet the recommendation of the chief inspector of prisons that prisoners should spend at least 12 hours each day out of their cells.

Prisoners are currently locked up for either 14 and a half hours per day with evening association or 16 and a half hours without. Evening association is currently provided on an average of four nights each week.

Mr. Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will arrange for children's visits to Bullwood Hall to be allowed at weekends.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

Every Monday afternoon Bullwood Hall provides visits solely for children and their carers. Children may also visit Bullwood Hall on any domestic visit on every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday afternoon. The governor hopes that she will be able to provide special children's visits at the weekend in the future.

Mr. Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to increase the recreational, educational and language learning facilities for female prisoners at Bullwood Hall.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

The gymnasium has recently been refurbished. There are plans to repair and enclose the swimming pool which will enable it to be used all year round. Money has been allocated to complete the conversion of workshops to an education and activity centre. Facilities for learning languages are already available to prisoners on an open learning basis as required.

Mr. Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will provide facilities for prisoners at Bullwood Hall to telephone their lawyers.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

All prisoners in Bullwood Hall can use the card telephone system to contact their lawyers if they wish. In addition, urgent telephone calls at public expense will be allowed if necessary.