§ Dr. TongeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of the fines imposed on private sector contractors within the Prison Service for not meeting targets have been(a) paid and (b) overturned on appeal in each of the last three years. [58389]
§ Hilary Benn[holding answer 23 May 2002]: The number of fines imposed in the last three years is as follows:
1999–2000: 112000–01: 72001–02: 3.All of the fines have been paid and none have been overturned on appeal.
§ Dr. TongeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many staff were employed by the Prison Service in each of the last five years. [58391]
§ Hilary Benn[holding answer 23 May 2002]: The information is contained the table:
Prison Service staff in post 31 March 1997 39,629 31 March 1998 41,056 31 March 1999 42,683 31 March 2000 43,683 31 March 2001 43,800
§ Dr. TongeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prison officers have left the service within(a) one year and (b) two years of starting in each of the last five years. [58390]
§ Hilary Benn[holding answer 23 May 2002]: The information is contained the table. Reliable leavers information including date of recruitment is not available before June 1998.
1242W
Left within one year of recruitment Left within up to two years of recruitment 1998–991 41 65 1999–2000 61 98 2000–01 46 93 2001–02 32 107 1June 1998 to March 1999 only.
§ Dr. TongeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many staff(a) were recruited to and (b) left the Prison Service in each of the last five years. [58392]
§ Hilary Benn[holding answer 23 May 2002]: The information, which includes casual staff, is contained in the table.
Recruits Leavers 1997–98 4,732 1— 1998–99 4,144 2,817 1999–2000 4,419 3,316 2000–01 3,466 3,812 2001–02 4,337 4,211 1Reliable information on leavers during 1997–98 is not available.
§ Mr. Andrew TurnerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consideration is given to ease of access for family visits in placing prisoners. [58843]
§ Hilary BennAll prison establishments are required to consider a number of factors when placing a prisoner, one of which is the home area of prisoners and their visitors.
The Prison Service places great importance on prisoners having regular and productive visits in order to maintain close and meaningful ties with their families as part of their effective rehabilitation.
However, high population levels throughout the prison estate can lead to prisoners being transferred from their home area to prison establishments with a greater number of vacancies to create capacity for remand prisoners within those prisons that serve the courts.
§ Mr. Andrew TurnerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of prisoners in each prison are(a) married or in long-term relationships, (b) have children under 18 and (c) both. [58842]
§ Hilary BennOn reception into prison all prisoners are asked about their marital status. They cannot be required to provide this information. As of 24 May, 10,786 male prisoners and 571 female prisoners described themselves as married or cohabiting. This amounts to 16 per cent. of the prison population. The information is not available by individual establishment. Information about prisoners with children is not collated. However, surveys suggest that about 60 per cent. of prisoners have children of whom about half have dependent children.