HC Deb 24 July 2002 vol 389 cc1444-5W
Simon Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) adult male prisoners, (b) women prisoners and (c) juveniles were held in police cells in each of the last six weeks; and for how long in each case. [73217]

Mr. Hilary Benn

Her Majesty's Prison Service does not collect data on the individual status of prisoners held in police cells or how long they are held in police custody. The table shows the total number of prisoners, including adult males, females and juveniles held in police cells over the last six weeks.

Week Commencing in 2002 Total Prisoners held in police accommodation
10 June 325
17 June 509
24 June 542
1 July 813
8 July 1,034
15 July 749

Simon Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners are being held in police cells; in what areas of the country they are held; and at what cost to the Prison Service. [73213]

Mr. Hilary Benn

There were 191 prisoners held in police accommodation on the night of 23 July 2002. With the exception of Wales, prisoners were held in all areas of the country.

Police forces that have been asked to accommodate prisoners, where Prison Service accommodation is exceptionally unavailable, will be able to claim the costs of that accommodation from the Prison Service. As yet, no police force has submitted invoices for this service, but any claims submitted should be in line with the costing guidance issued in 1997 which ensures that police forces charge on a consistent and auditable basis.

Simon Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what regulations and standards govern the treatment of prisoners held in police cells. [73219]

Mr. Hilary Benn

The operational management of prisoners held in police accommodation is a matter for the Chief Constable of the forces concerned. While the police will do everything possible to care for the prisoners and to meet their basic needs it will not be possible to offer a prison regime. Every effort is made, however, to minimise the length of time that individual prisoners are held in police cells.