§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average number of hours per week prisoners spent in education in the last 12 months was; and what the target figure is. [142175]
§ Paul GogginsFor the period September 2002 to August 2003 the average number of hours per week prisoners undertaking education spent in formal learning activities was 9.15. This excludes distance learning, private study, and learning which takes place on the wings, for example through peer support schemes.
619WWe do not have a target for the number of hours prisoners should be spending in education. Our targets for prisoner learning are outcome-based, focusing on improving prisoners' literacy, language, numeracy and vocational skills. In 2002–03 prisoners gained 41,518 basic skills achievements against a target of 28,800 (exceeding our target by 44.2 per cent).
We are continuing to work towards widening prisoner access to appropriate learning opportunities: through increased investment, a robust quality improvement strategy, new contracts which put the individual at the centre of the learning process, and the support of newly appointed Heads of Learning and Skills across the prison estate.
§ Charles HendryTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much was spent on the provision of education facilities in(a) prisons and (b) young offenders institutions in each of the past 10 years. [140653]
§ Paul GogginsThe following table shows education spend in prisons from 1993–94 to 2002–03.
Financial year Education expenditure (£ million) 1993–94 31.08 1994–95 36.75 1995–96 36.95 1996–97 34.50 1997–98 36.17 1998–99 39.04 1999–2000 40.89 2000–01 41.87 2001–02 52.60 2002–03 59.40 These totals do not include additional funding for the Youth Justice Board and curriculum development projects. The 2002–03 total does not include £4.4 million allocated to prisons from the Capital Modernisation Fund to enhance the quality, quantity and relevance of education and training. From April 2003 money for vocational training of £12 million a year transferred to the Department for Education and Skills.
§ Vera BairdTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of the female receptions into prison has been(a) under sentence and (b) on remand (i) for non-violent offences and (ii) for sentences of six months or less for each of the last 10 years. [141638]
§ Paul Goggins[holding answer 2 December 2003]: The number of females received under sentence by offence group, for the last 10 years, is given in tables 3.11 and 4.7 of Prison Statistics England and Wales 2002.
The number of females received under sentence by sentence length, for the last 10 years, is given in tables 3.12 and 4.8 of Prison Statistics England and Wales 2002.
The number of females received on remand by offence group, for the last 10 years, is given in table 2.9 of Prison Statistics England and Wales, years 1994 to 2002.
An individual who first enters the remand population and is subsequently received under sentence will be counted in both categories.
620WCopies of Prison Statistics England and Wales are available in the Library.
§ Mr. ChopeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the percentage of(a) prisoners and (b) prison staff who are smokers; and what action he is taking to reduce the numbers. [143095]
§ Paul Goggins[holding answer 9 December 2003]: The information requested is as follows:
(a) Approximately 80 per cent. of prisoners smoke.(b)There is no current estimate of the percentage of prison staff that smoke.The Directorate of Prison Health has recently completed a pilot programme to establish best practice for smoking cessation services in prisons. Five prisons were involved in the pilots and the rollout programme is such that all prisons will be involved in these services by the end of the financial year.
Results so far indicate a similar success rate to that which is to be found with such initiatives in the community.
Delivery will be evaluated over the next two years and further development work is ongoing with Strathclyde University.
This year £500,000 has been allocated across all Primary Care Trusts that cater for prisons in their areas. It is planned that such funds will be made available each year through to 2006.
Since 1 July 1996, Prison Governors have been required to comply with the Prison Service Workplace Smoking Policy. The aim of this policy is to ensure that a smoke-free working environment can be enjoyed by everyone.
Smoking is not permitted in any office accommodation, including single occupancy offices and adjacent circulation spaces. Nor is smoking permitted in toilets, lifts and conference rooms.
In prisons, smoking is banned in all visits areas and it is recommended that governors prohibit smoking in all communal areas. In establishing local smoking policies, Governors are encouraged to complement them with the provision of smoking cessation courses for those wishing to give up.