HC Deb 19 April 1994 vol 241 c486W
Dr. Godman

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement about capacity limits for prison accommodation.

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

[holding answer 13 April 1994]: Responsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Scottish Prison Service under its chief executive, Mr. E. W. Frizzell. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.

Letter from E. W. Frizzell to Dr. Norman A. Godman, dated 19 April 1994: Lord James Douglas-Hamilton has asked me to reply to your Question about capacity limits for prison accommodation. As at 1 April 1994, the design capacity of the prisons estate in Scotland was 5,736, largely in the form of single cell accommodation. Allowing for cells not available because of redecoration or damage repair work, refurbishment (including in some cases to provide night sanitation) or for other policy reasons (including being retained in the event of an emergency), a total of 5,159 places were in use at that time.