§ Mr. BluntTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will decide on whether HMP Downview will be a local prison; and if he will make a statement. [11639]
§ Beverley Hughes[holding answer 7 November 2001]: The tactical use of the prison estate is a matter for the Director General of the Prison Service. The particular type of prisoner that is held in each prison changes depending on the profile of the national prison population. The Prison Service Management Board regularly reviews the use of the estate. The current pressure on women's prisons means that Downview is being used to hold convicted and sentenced prisoners.
The Prison Service will continue to identify the most suitable accommodation for the projected numbers and types of prisoners: this will include consideration on whether Downview will hold remand prisoners.
I will ensure that the hon. Gentleman is advised if the decision is taken to place remand prisoners into Downview.
§ Mr. BluntTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his estimate of the costs broken down to include overtime, detached duty allowances and hotel costs arising from employment of female prison staff detached from other prisons to HMP Downview between 17 July and 31 December. [11641]
§ Beverley Hughes[holding answer 7 November 2001]: Regular assessments are made on the continued need for the employment of female staff from other prisons at Downview. The number of staff required is dependent on the need to safely accommodate the numbers of women sent to prison custody by the courts.
Female detached duty staff commenced during October reaching a maximum of 20 officers. Based on this staffing level, the monthly costs are estimated to be £57,000 for detached duty costs (including accommodation costs) and £16,200 for contract hours (overtime). Were this staffing level to remain until 31 December, the estimate for the total costs is £171,000 for detached duty costs and £48,600 for contract hours.
§ Mr. BluntTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent estimate he has made of the cost of renovating C wing at HMP Downview to be suitable for female remand prisoners; and what account was taken of such estimates in the advice which he received on converting Downview to a female prison. [11642]
§ Beverley Hughes[holding answer 7 November 2001]: A decision has not yet been taken on whether Downview prison will hold remand prisoners. Initial views are that C wing does not lend itself for an easy or cost-effective 383W conversion to hold remand prisoners. Detailed estimates for such a renovation or for replacing it with a new accommodation block have not yet been carried out.
The decision to select Downview as the prison needing to change function to hold women prisoners was based on a number of criteria including its geographical location, ability to relocate the existing male population and an assessment of the future shape of the prison estate. Funding for a change of function had been secured under a previous spending review settlement; the Prison Service has not requested further funding for this change. I will ensure that the hon. Member is advised if the decision is taken to place remand prisoners into Downview.