§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action has been taken to improve access for disabled persons within prison establishments.
§ Mr. Peter LloydThe current design specifications for the construction of new prisons reflect the needs of disabled prisoners, staff and visitors. Wherever practical, these are used as the basis for modernisation work in existing buildings. The specifications require that circulation routes should be suitable for wheelchairs and provide for access ramps and for lifts in certain buildings together with lavatories for use by the disabled.
Between 1990–91 and 1993–94, a total of 18 schemes within the programme for modernising existing prisons have or will result in improvement specifically for the benefit of disabled people. In addition, other improvements have been made by local management, of which there is no central record.