§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) additional prisons and (b) additional prison places there were and what was their cost in each of the last five years; how many planned (i) additional prisons and (ii) additional prison places there are and what is their cost in the next three years; and if he will make a statement. [125322]
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§ Mr. Boateng[holding answer 9 June 2000]The information requested is set out in the table.
Number of new prisons provided in each of the last five years Number of additional uncrowded prison places provided in each of the last five years1 Cost of additional places in each of the last five years (£ million)2,3 1996–97 0 1,857 186 1997–98 4 4,635 211 1998–99 0 1,697 238 1999–2000 2 2,071 205 2000–014 1 840 244 1 The number of new places includes those at new prisons and places provided at existing prisons by building houseblocks and Ready To Use units. It is the total of new places and does not take into account places taken out of use, for example by the closure of Aldington. 2 The total cost of new places includes new prisons provided under the Private Finance Initiative. 3 This is an estimate of the total capital and current cost as the Prison Service does not record separately the running costs of added accommodation at existing prisons. 4 The new prison in 2000–01 is called Rye Hill and will open in January 2001. Note:
A new prison called Dovegate (800 places) is planned to open in July 2001. Plans for 2001–02 are currently being considered as part of the Spending Review 2000.