HC Deb 04 February 1999 vol 324 cc759-60W
Mr. Cox

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisons in England and Wales operate a pre-release programme; and if he will make a statement. [68832]

Mr. George Howarth

There are no central records of the number of prisoners operating pre-release programmes. Preparing prisoners for release is extremely important and the Prison Service provides assistance in a variety of ways. These include the delivery, by specially trained prison and probation staff and specialists from a range of voluntary organisations, of a range of advice and information on, for example, accommodation, employment, parenting skills and substance abuses.