HC Deb 31 July 1997 vol 299 cc559-60W
Fiona Mactaggart

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the average time per day which prisoners spent in their cells in(a) 1995–96,(b) 1996–97 and (c) each month since April 1997. [11511]

Ms Quin

The Prison Service monitors the time that is available for prisoners to spend out of their cell, based on normal prison routine, rather than the actual time that prisoners spend in their cell.

The average time available for prisoners to spend out of their cell for 1995–96,1996–97 and each month since April 1997 was:

  • 1995–96: 11.4 hours
  • 1996–97: 11.2 hours
  • April 1997: 11.0 hours
  • May 1997: 11.1 hours
  • June 1997: 11.0 hours

The data for the current financial year are subject to final validation.

Mr. Beith

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of prisoners were held in their cells for more than(a) 10, (b) 12 hours per day in (i) 1995–96 and (ii) 1996–97 and (iii) each month since April 1997. [11825]

Ms Quin

The Prison Service monitors the time that is available for prisoners to spend out of their cell, based on normal prison routine, rather than the actual time that prisoners spend in their cell.

The table details the average proportion of prisoners held in prisons where the average time available for prisoners to spend out of their cell was (a) more than 10 hours and (b) more than 12 hours.

Percentage of prisoners unlocking for: 1995–96 1996–97 April 1997 May 1997 June 1997
More than ten hours 70 63 57 59 60
More than twelve hours 28 24 23 22 20

The data for the current financial year are subject to final validation.

Mr. McWalter

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the average daily time spent out of cells by prisoners in(a) 1995–96, (b) 1996–97 and (c) each month since April 1997. [11952]

Ms Quin

The Prison Service monitors the time that is available for prisoners to spend out of their cell, based on normal prison routines, rather than the actual time that prisoners spend out of their cell.

The average time available for prisoners to spend out of their cell for 1995–96,1996–97and each month since April 1997was:

  • 1995–96: 11.4hours
  • 1996–97: 11.2hours
  • April 1997:11.0hours
  • May 1997:11.1hours
  • June 1997:11.0hours

The data for the current financial year are subject to final validation

Mr. McWalter

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of prisoners were out of their cells for(a) more than 10 hours per day and (b) more than 12 hours per day in (i) 1995–96 and (ii) 1996–97. [11951]

Ms Quin

I will write to my hon. Friend.

Sir Peter Lloyd

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners are currently accommodated two to a cell designed for one person. [12222]

Ms Quin

I will write to the right hon. Member.