§ Mr. Alex CarlileTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to close or cluster prisons during the next 12 months; which prisons will be affected; and if he will make a statement. [26663]
§ Miss Widdecombe[holding answer 29 April 1996]: Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange a reply to be given.
Letter from Richard Tilt to Mr. Alex Carlile, dated 1 May 1996:
The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about what plans the Prison Service has to close or cluster prisons during the next 12 months.The Prison Service has announced the planned closure of Finnamore Wood young offender institution in May 1996 and Oxford prison by the end of 1996. Pucklechurch remand centre closed in March. No decisions have been taken concerning any other prison closures. Consideration is being given, as part of plans for improving cost efficiency, to the possible sharing of some management and support services at prisons where operational and geographical considerations permit.