HC Deb 08 January 2002 vol 377 cc792-3W
Adam Price

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he is taking to reduce the prison population. [23971]

Beverley Hughes

The Government believe that prison is right for dangerous, serious and some persistent offenders and that sentences should be as long as necessary for punishment and public protection, but no longer.

Home detention curfew plays an important role by enabling prisoners to be released from prison early, while still subject to restrictions placed on their liberty. This facilitates a smoother and more effective integration back into the community and helps offenders to secure or resume employment or training as soon as possible.

The Government believe that community punishments can make a major impact and support their increased use, particularly for some non-violent offenders such as those convicted of theft and handling, or fraud. The Government's reform of the probation service, with its focus on reducing re-offending, means that rigorously enforced community sentences are a real and tough alternative to imprisonment. Changes already introduced, for example the Drug Testing and Treatment Order and the ability of Courts to impose community punishment, rehabilitation orders and curfew orders as one sentence, should enable sentencers to consider a robust community sentence as an alternative to imprisonment.

In the longer term the proposed sentencing reforms, including sentencing guidelines and new flexible sentences incorporating both custody and supervision, should have a significant impact. In this context the Government are also exploring the scope for innovative new sentences, such as intermittent custody, and for restorative justice interventions.

Mr. Stinchcombe

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average distance was from the committal court at the time of release for(a) male prisoners, (b) female prisoners and (c) young offenders in the last 12 months for which figures are available. [23902]

Beverley Hughes

Data are not available on the distance prisoners are held away from committal court at the time of release. However, data are collected periodically on the distance prisoners are currently held away from committal court. The latest figures, obtained on 30 September 2001 are set out in the table.

Miles
Population group Average distance prisoners are held away from committal court
Male prisoners1 53
Female prisoners1 63
Young offenders2 50
1 Including young offenders.
2 Male and female, including juveniles.

Mr. Stinchcombe

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many bail information schemes are in operation in women's prisons; and how many staff work in each of them. [23901]

Beverley Hughes

Each of the seven female establishments that hold remand prisoners operate a bail information scheme. They are required to have sufficient trained staff to provide all eligible prisoners with the facilities necessary to assist in their applications for bail. These duties may be shared between a number of staff. The number of staff involved in providing bail information at one time will vary according to the size of the remand population.