§ Miss WiddecombeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has for improving the conditions of women prisoners. [21298]
§ Ms Quin[holding answer 15 January 1998]: The Prison Service is planning to build a purpose-built women's prison. The preferred location should serve East Midlands, East Anglia and North London.
Additional prison places for women have already been made available by changing the role of existing accommodation at Brockhill, Foston Hall and Highpoint North and by providing new accommodation at New Hall and Eastwood Park.
At six women's prisons, building projects are in progress to maintain or upgrade existing services and facilities. A further 17 projects at these prisons are under consideration.
As part of the Prison Service Review, the Government ensured that the appointment of an Assistant Director for Women Prisoners will focus particularly on the needs of women. This will include the need for offending behaviour programmes for women and special regimes for young female offenders.
The Government are also examining the recommendations of the Chief Inspector's Thematic review.