§ Mr. LlwydTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to reduce overcrowding at Cardiff prison; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter LloydResponsibility for this matter 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 A. J. Butler to Mr. Elfyn Llwyd, dated 10 May 1994:
The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question about Cardiff prison.The certified normal accommodation for Cardiff prison is 253. On 5 May 1994 311 prisoners were held at Cardiff. This was 29 fewer than Cardiff's operational capacity of 340. Operational capacity is the total number of prisoners which an establishment can hold without serious risk to good order, security and the proper running of the planned regime.Enabling work has recently commenced at Cardiff Prison in connection with the construction of new accommodation. The new wing, which is scheduled for completion in mid-1996, will provide 196 additional places.