§ Miss WiddecombeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to re-role existing adult prisons as(a) young offender institutions or (b) young offender institutions holding 16 and 17-year-olds. [110436]
§ Mr. BoatengThe Prison Service is considering a proposal to re-role Blantyre House, an adult male prison to a young offender institution for under 18-year-old juvenile males. This forms part of a strategy drawn up by the Prison Service and the Youth Justice Board for securing further improvements to the under 18 secure estate. The proposal is contingent upon the availability of resources and trends in the prison population. No other adult prisons are being considered for re-role to a young offender institution, or young offender institution holding 16 and 17-year-olds. However, changes in the composition of the prison population may require the Prison Service to consider other strategic re-role options in future.