HC Deb 18 July 2001 vol 372 cc285-6W
Dr. Gibson

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the Norwich Prison Board of Visitors report to the Prison Reform Trust on the subject of overcrowding at Norwich Prison. [3147]

Beverley Hughes

I am not aware of any report from the Board of Visitors at Norwich prison to the Prison Reform Trust. Norwich prison was not named as causing particular concern in the Prison Reform Trust's recent press release on overcrowding. The Board of Visitors at Norwich did however refer to the issue of overcrowding in their annual report to the Secretary of State for the year 2000.

The Certified Normal Accommodation (that is, the uncrowded capacity) of Norwich prison is 561 and the operational (that is, maximum) capacity 794. The operational capacity was increased by 50 places in October 2000, for which the prison received additional funding of £397,000. The average population during 2000 was 631, a reduction from 1999 (681). On average

England and Wales during the last 12 months where children have been involved in the production of pornography. [2845]

Mr. Denham

There is no separate offence of producing pornography. Any prosecution is likely to be for possessing, taking or making indecent photographs, or pseudo-photographs, of children: and, in the case of young offenders, for possessing obscene material for gain.

The available information, taken from the Home Office Court Proceedings and Cautions Database and given in the table, shows that there were four prosecutions and two convictions of persons aged 10–17 during 1999 for possessing obscene material for gain.

There were 175 prosecutions and 139 convictions of persons during 1999 for taking or making indecent photographs, or pseudo-photographs, of children: none of these defendants were aged 10–17. There were also 163 prosecutions and 99 convictions for possessing indecent photographs, or pseudo-photographs, of children: again, none of these defendants were aged 10–17.

35 per cent. of the population at Norwich prison share a cell, which is less than the establishment's target of 45 per cent.