§ Baroness Masham of Iltonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether Agecroft and Ashfield prisons are fully accessible to (a) prisoners, (b) visitors, and (c) staff who are wheelchair users or who have sensory impairments; and [HL3712]
Whether the prisons currently under construction at Marchington and Onley will be fully accessible. [HL3713]
§ Lord Bassam of BrightonAshfield and Forest Bank (Agecroft) prisons are fully accessible to prisoners, visitors and staff with physical disabilities. Dovegate (Marchington) prison and Rye Hill (Onley) prison will also be fully accessible.
§ Baroness Masham of Iltonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether all new houseblocks being added to the existing Prison Service managed prisons and contracted out prisons are fully accessible. [HL3714]
§ Lord Bassam of BrightonThe ground floors of all new houseblocks, of both Prison Service managed prisons and contracted out prisons, are fully accessible, i.e. via ramps and entrances which are of adequate width to allow access of wheelchairs etc.
The upper levels of such accommodation are galleried and are not readily accessible. Sufficient accommodation and facilities are available on the ground floor to ensure reasonable access to the full range of facilities.