§ Mr. BurnsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what measures his Department proposes to take to reduce overcrowding in Chelmsford prison;
(2) when he expects a reduction in overcrowding in Chelmsford prison;
(3) how many prisoners there were in Chelmsford prison on 12 December 1991 and 18 June 1992; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter LloydIn common with other local prisons, Chelmsford has maintained a substantial degree of overcrowding for some time. In recent months, as new accommodation elsewhere in the prison service estate has come on stream, the amount of overcrowding has been reduced. I cannot give any assurances on whether this welcome improvement will be sustained because this would be dependent on the number of prisoners committed into custody by the courts served by the prison. Further consideration is being given to measures to reduce overcrowding directly in Chelmsford prison and elsewhere. On 12 December 1991 the number of prisoners held in Chelmsford was 389, and on 18 June this year is was 352.