Ms RoddockTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what criteria will be used to select the next two operational prisons for market testing.
§ Mr. Peter LloydResponsibility for this matte has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter from Derek Lewis to Ms Joan Ruddock, dated 1 February 1994: 646W
The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about market testing of further operational prisons.The approach to the selection of operational prisons for market testing will be to select those where there is the greatest scope for improving performance. The Prisons Board will look at factors such as the extent and quality of regime activities and the cost per place in determining whether good value for money is currently being provided.Consideration will also be given to factors which may affect performance, such as the nature of the prisoner population and any limitations of the buildings.