HL Deb 14 October 1997 vol 582 cc113-4WA
Baroness David

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What was the number of education hours provided at Holloway, Highpoint, Albany and Wandsworth prisons in 1995–96 and 1996–97; and what is the planned number in 1997–98.

Lord Williams of Mostyn

Hours of education (defined as daytime education, vocational training courses, construction industry training courses and evening education) at these establishments were:

  • Holloway
  • 1995–96 (actual): 90,200 hours
  • 1996–97 (actual): 87,500 hours
  • 1997–98 (planned): 130,000 hours
  • Highpoint
  • 1995–96 (actual): 194,600 hours
  • 1996–97 (actual): 97,000 hours
  • 1997–98 (planned): 313,000 hours
  • Albany
  • 1995–96 (actual): 100,600 hours
  • 1996–97 (actual): 56,400 hours
  • 1997–98 (planned): 57,000 hours
  • Wandsworth
  • 1995–96 (actual): 118,500 hours
  • 1996–97 (actual): 57,400 hours
  • 1997–98 (planned): 38,176 hours

The reduction in the hours of education at Albany reflects a redirection of the prison's focus towards more industrial activities.

Baroness David

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What percentage of prisons and young offenders' institutions reduced their educational provision in 1996–97, and what percentage plan to do so in 1997–98.

Lord Williams of Mostyn

The time inmates spent in education (defined as daytime education, vocational training courses, construction industry training courses and evening education) fell between 1995–96 and 1996–97 in 71 per cent. of prison establishments. Plans for educational provision made by individual establishments are not collated centrally, and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Baroness David

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What was the average weekly number of hours spent in education per prisoner in June and December in 1995, 1996 and 1997.

Lord Williams of Mostyn

The information requested about the average weekly number of hours spent in education per prisoner is detailed below:

  • June 1995: 1.8 hours per prisoner
  • December 1995: 1.4 hours per prisoner
  • June 1996: 1.6 hours per prisoner
  • December 1996: 1.3 hours per prisoner
  • 1997–98 to end June (provisional figure): 1.5 hours per prisoner.