§ Mrs. GillanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many mentally ill prisoners are being held in the segregation unit at Camp Hill Prison; and if he will take steps to have them transferred to suitable accommodation. [153735]
§ Paul GogginsEvery effort is made to avoid holding prisoners with acute mental illness in the segregation unit at Camp Hill. On 9 February 2004 there were no such prisoners held there.
§ Mrs. GillanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to increase the hours of purposeful activity for prisoners at Camp Hill Prison. [153738]
1420WStatistics on court proceedings for 2003 will be published in the autumn.
§ Paul GogginsIn 2003–04, HMP Camp Hill's level of purposeful activity has been reduced by the closure of the two main engineering workshops, in rotation, for major re-roofing work. The increased roll has exacerbated the fall in hours per prisoner.
I am pleased to confirm that the workshops are now functioning fully, and this, combined with a review of contracts, rationalisation of instructors, development of horticulture, a review of prisoners pay and the provision of 35 additional work places, will improve levels of purposeful activity. The target for 2004–05 is 22 hours per week.
§ Mrs. GillanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to reduce the number of staff on sick leave at Camp Hill Prison. [153739]
1421W
§ Paul GogginsDuring 2003 HMP Camp Hill has experienced significant levels of long term sick leave. A combination of phased returns to work and staff retirements has significantly reduced sickness absence.