HL Deb 23 July 1996 vol 574 cc122-6WA
Baroness Mallalieu

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What was the average time spent in cells by (a) remand prisoners and (b) convicted prisoners at Wandsworth, Wormwood Scrubs, Belmarsh, Brixton and Pentonville prisons respectively in each week since the end of April 1996; what were the figures for the equivalent period in 1995; and what are the reasons for any significant changes.

Baroness Blatch

Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

Letter to Baroness Mallalieu from the Director General of the Prison Service, Mr. Richard Tilt, dated 23rd July 1996.

Lady Blatch has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the average time spent in cells by prisoners since the end of April 1996 and the respective period for 1995 at Wandsworth, Belmarsh, Wormwood Scrubs, Brixton and Pentonville prisons.

The information supplied in the attached table is derived from local regime monitoring which is provided to Prison Service headquarters. The data collected in 1995 did not distinguish between remand and convicted prisoners and therefore combined averages for these prisons have been provided.

There have been some changes in the time spent in cells which are reflected in the following assessments.

Average time in cell Remand Average time in cell Convicted Average time in cell
Belmarsh
April 1995 13.8 April 1996 14.92 April 1996 14.92
May 1996 14.92 May 1996 14.92
June 1996 14.92 June 1995 14.92
Brixton
April 1995 115.43 April 1996 15.55 April 1996 15.55
May 1996 15.91 May 1996 15.91
June 1996 15.33 June 1996 15.33
Pentonville
April 1995 113.5 April 1996 15.5 April 1996 15.5
May 1996 15.5 May 1996 15.5
June 1996 15.5 June 1996 15.5
Wandsworth
April 1995 114 April 1996 16.9 April 1996 17.02
May 1996 16.88 May 1996 16.67
June 1996 16.88 June 1996 16.88

Belmarsh

The level of category A escorts undertaken has increased significantly since 1995. Staff had to be redeployed from internal activities to carry out these increased commitments.

Brixton

It is anticipated that there will be a reduction in the time prisoners spend in cells this year. Changes in the regime have been limited with the reopening of two recently refurbished wings. In addition to this, Brixton has opened a unit for life sentenced prisoners this month.

Pentonville

The governor of Pentonville has expressed his concern about the accuracy of data collated in 1995. He has since taken steps to address this problem and has improved the collection of information for 1996–97. In view of this, no strict comparison between the periods under review is worthwhile, although the governor believes there has been little change.

Wandsworth

Although monitoring shows an increase in time spent in cell, all the usual indicators suggest a settled prisoner population. The introduction of the half day of employment alternating with education, group work and visits has improved the quality of regime activities available.

Wormwood Scrubs

Following the requirement to implement some of the Woodcock and Learmont security recommendations it has proved necessary to redeploy staff from association and other out of cell activities to carry out routine security searches.

Average time in cell Remand Average time in cell Convicted Average time in cell
Wormwood Scrubs
April 1995 114.38 April 1996 16.75 April 1996 15
May 1996 16.75 May 1996 15
June 1996 16.75 June 1996 15
1 Average time spent in cell for remand and convicted prisoners.