§ Lord Hyltonasked Her Majesty's Government:
What actions they are taking that will reduce overcrowding in prisons in England and Wales during the current year. [HL2522]
§ Lord Bassam of BrightonIt is for the courts to determine how many offenders are sent to prison. By a combination of providing additional accommodation and the introduction of new legislation (for example, home detention curfew), the Government are ensuring that overcrowding is contained within the maximum safe operational capacity of establishments.
Over the current calendar year the Prison Service has increased new prison capacity. On 20 January, Forest Bank Prison, Greater Manchester was opened to provide 800 remand and sentenced places for adult and 18 to 20 year-old males. Two further prisons are currently under construction which will provide 1,400 additional places. Rye Hill, Rugby will provide 600 male places and is scheduled to open on 21 January 2001 and Dovegate, Staffordshire will provide 800 male places and is scheduled to open on 9 July 2001. To ensure sufficient female capacity next year, we have plans to provide four 40-place ready-to-use units at existing female establishments.