HC Deb 17 December 1992 vol 216 cc451-2W
Sir John Wheeler

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement about the possibility of women prisoners joining the therapeutic regime at Grendon.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

At the end of 1994, a small unit will become available at Grendon. There are a number of possible options for its use: for adult male offenders, for young offenders or to make the unit one for women prisoners. No decision has been taken about the future of the unit.

Before the possibility of women prisoners participating in the therapeutic unit at Grendon could be contemplated it would be necessary:

  1. (a) to have reliable information about the therapeutic needs of women prisoners; and
  2. (b) to explore all possible options for meeting those needs, drawing on experience both inside and outside the prison service.

Furthermore, any decision to place women prisoners in Grendon would require very careful consideration, including:

  1. (a) defining the objectives of such placement, in particular identifying what benefits the women would derive from it;
  2. (b) examining staffing mix, training, attitudes;
  3. (c) exploring essential safeguards for all involved; and
  4. (d) appropriate consultation.

Careful, detailed planning would then be needed.

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