§ Baroness Faithfullasked Her Majesty's Government:
What category of prisoner is now held in Oxford Prison and what plans they have for its future.
§ Baroness BlatchResponsibility 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 to Baroness Faithfull from the Director General of the Prison Service, Mr. Derek Lewis, dated 20th July 1995.
Lady Blatch has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the category of prisoners held at Oxford prison and what plans there are for the future of the site.
Only selected category C and D prisoners are held at Oxford. Category C prisoners are those who are not to be trusted in open conditions, but who lack the resources to make a determined attempt to escape. Category D prisoners are judged to be suitable for open conditions. All prisoners at Oxford are in the last two years of their sentence.
Population predictions for 1994 meant it was necessary to re-open Oxford prison as a temporary measure. Its future use has recently been under review, taking into account the wider estate planning needs of the Prison Service. I hope that we shall be able to announce the outcome shortly.