HL Deb 14 May 2002 vol 635 cc25-6WA
Lord Hylton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will list the prisons in which "child-centred visits" are now available for prisoners who are parents, giving the category of the prison in each case. [HL4028]

Lord Rooker

Provision of extended visits for children and families is at the discretion of individual governors, who take into account a number of factors, including the availability of staffing and other resources. However, over the last 10 years an increasing number of establishments offer such visits, which take place over a longer period than routine social visits and in more relaxed surroundings, using existing recreational facilities. Greater emphasis is placed on the needs of the child and I am pleased that there is a growing appreciation of the benefits which may be gained from visits of this kind. Information on which establishments offer such facilities is not collated centrally by the Prison Service.