§ Chris GraylingTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the answer of 6 December 2001,Official Report, column 476W, on Downview Prison, what steps he will take to secure the immediate local transfer of male prisoners who are now in higher category prisons than Downview. [23214]
§ Beverley HughesAs stated in the previous answer, in preparation for the change of role of Downview to a women's prison, 340 male prisoners were moved from the establishment between 17 July 2001 and 1 September 2001. No prisoners were moved out of the South East and none had their security category increased as part of this process.
As far as possible prisoners were relocated to other category C training prisons/units or where appropriate were recategorised and transferred to an appropriate category D prison from Downview.
One hundred and forty Downview prisoners were temporarily accommodated at Wormwood Scrubs in a separate wing, supervised by former Downview staff, in category C conditions. The majority of these prisoners were moved to category C training prisons or recategorised and transferred to appropriate category D prisons. A small number, for whom Wormwood Scrubs is a convenient location, have remained there in long term category C conditions.