§ Mr. Bob RussellTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many safe cells there are in(a) prisons and (b) police stations; what plans he has for further ones to be installed; and if he will make a statement. [112975]
§ Mr. BoatengBy 31 March 2000, 185 improved standard cells (previously known as "safe" cells) will have been provided in 19 existing prisons. In addition, there are 1,088 cells in use at two new privately managed prisons (Forest Bank prison and Ashfield young offenders institution) which reflect the new design requirements. All future new prisons will similarly incorporate these requirements. No central record exists of the number of such cells in police stations in England and Wales and the information requested could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
§ Mr. Bob RussellTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the same safe cell specification applies to(a) prisons in HM Prison Service, (b) privately-run prisons and (c) prisons funded by the Private Finance Initiative; and if he will make a statement. [112976]
§ Mr. BoatengPrivate sector consortiums seeking to build and manage new prisons are required to reflect the design requirements of the Prison Service's improved standard cell in all new prison cells. While such cells may not be identical to those built by the Prison Service, all cells will incorporate the key elements of the Service's design specification.
§ Mr. Bob RussellTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners committed suicide in safe cells in the last year for which figures are available. [112974]
§ Mr. BoatengNone of the prisoners who committed suicide in 1999 were located in the improved cell design, formerly known as "safe" cells.