HC Deb 25 March 2004 vol 419 c1025W
Dr. Vis

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether there is a limit on the number of children who may visit a parent in prison. [162279]

Paul Goggins

There is no limit on the number of children who are able to attend social visits in prisons. However, prisons with fixed, rather than freestanding furniture in their visits halls sometimes experience difficulties in accommodating larger families together. In these instances, there is an expectation that establishments will be flexible and make appropriate arrangements to assist them.

Dr. Vis

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his policy is on visits to prisoners in Highpoint prison by more than three of their children at any one time. [162280]

Paul Goggins

The prisoner visits booking system currently in use at Highpoint prison allows for one main visitor over 18 years old, two further visitors over the age of 10 and up to four children under the age of 10. A new system is shortly to be introduced which will raise the number of children able to visit to nine.