§ Mr. BluntTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the prospects 95W for the rate of change in the number of women prisoners since 1 May 1997 to be sustained; what assessment he has made of the reasons for the change; and if he will make a statement. [14302]
§ Beverley HughesThe female prison population has increased by 52 per cent. between 30 April 1997 and 30 September 2001.
The main reason for the growth in this period is the rise in the custody rates at the courts. Around half the increase is accounted for by women imprisoned for drug offences; mainly unlawful importation of drugs, supplying class A drugs and possession with intent to supply class A drugs. During 2001, a rise in remands has also been a contributory factor.
Projections of long term trends in the prison population to 2008 were published on 23 May 2001 (Home Office Statistical Bulletin 8/01). The central scenario assumed that the custody rates for females would increase at a rate of 4.5 per cent. per year until 2008. Both short and long-term prison population projections are currently under review, and a revised projection will be incorporated in the "Prison Population Brief, England and Wales" shortly. This is available on the Home Office website.
§ Mr. BluntTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the capacity of each women's prison in the United Kingdom. [14303]
§ Beverley HughesThe information sought is listed in the table and relates to female prisons in England and Wales. Information relating to prisons in Scotland and Northern Ireland should be sought from the Scottish Executive and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland respectively.
Female Prisons: capacity on 12 November 2001 Name Certified normal accommodation Operational capacity Askham Grange 135 135 Brockhill 166 166 Bullwood Hall 180 180 Cookham Wood 120 150 Downview 227 227 Drake Hall 267 267 Durham 105 109 East Sutton Park 94 100 Eastwood Park 291 324 Foston Hall 214 219 Highpoint 298 300 Holloway 468 483 Low Newton 255 285 Morton Hall 192 192 New Hall 327 386 Send 220 220 Styal 412 455 Winchester 55 65
§ Roger CasaleTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to(a) ensure that adequate provision has been made for the accommodation of women prisoners, (b) reduce the risk of suicide among women prisoners and (c) ensure the safety of prisoners at Downview prison in Surrey. [15288]
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§ Beverley HughesThe Prison Service Management Board continuously monitors the changes in population in order to ensure sufficient accommodation is provided for each group of offenders sent into prison custody. The change of function at Downview is one of the actions that was taken to provide adequate accommodation for women prisoners. Consideration is currently being given to the need to change the function of another male prison to accommodate women prisoners.
Following the Prison Service Internal Review, "Prevention of Suicide and Self-Harm in the Prison Service", a new three-year strategy to reduce prisoner suicides and self-harm was announced by my predecessor on 5 February. The main principles of the strategy apply across all types of prisons and prisoners whether male or female. Implementation of the strategy is being taken forward as part of a long-term programme aiming to reduce suicides and self-harm. This is an all-round approach to encourage a supportive culture in prisons based on good staff-prisoner relationships, a constructive regime and a physically safe environment. Among the five establishments chosen to pilot this programme is the women's prison and young offender institution Eastwood Park. The Prison Service has a duty of care to all prisoners in its custody, and recognises that self-harm is a particular problem among women offenders. The review highlighted the need for specific interventions for repetitive self-injury and a number of steps are being taken to address this issue. The Prison Service is considering alternative care pathways for those who injure themselves. After development, piloting and evaluation it is intended that specific interventions will be introduced in those prisons with a specific need.
All prisoners are assessed for the potential for self-harm before allocation to Downview. Prisoners who have been identified as being at risk of self-harm are only being allocated to Her Majesty's Prison Downview if this provides additional support and is specified in their individual support plan. Prisoners exhibiting the potential for self-harm while at Downview are closely monitored.