§ Mr. SteenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the cost to public funds of reimbursing travel costs and providing travel for prisoners' families to visit their incarcerated relatives(a) nationally and (b) in Channings Wood; and what percentage in each case is represented by (i) taxi costs and (ii) overnight accommodation. [9857]
§ Ms QuinThe most recent figures are for 1996–97.
The total travel cost plus overnight accommodation for visits to prisons in England and Wales was £2,540,578 and to Channings Wood prison, £65,833. Overnight accommodation represents 4.35 per cent. nationally and 3.94 per cent. for Channings Wood.
It is not possible to specify as a percentage the cost of taxis against total travel cost, either nationally or for Channings Wood prison, as the assisted prison visits unit computer system does not differentiate between different modes of travel such as taxi, private motor vehicle, bus, etc.