§ Mrs. GillanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the decision was made to move women prisoners from(a) Winchester and (b) Edmunds Hill prisons; how many women prisoners are to be moved; and to which prisons they are being sent. [162626]
§ Paul Goggins[holding answer 22 March 2004]: The announcement on 11 March 2004 closely followed the decision to re-role HMP Edmunds Hill and the West Hill wing at HMP Winchester, as a prompt response to changing population pressures. There was a short delay in the announcement to allow for staff in these establishments to be informed of the decision before the information became public. Decisions on where prisoners will be moved to will be made on an individual basis, to help ensure that each prisoner is held at an establishment that is appropriate for their needs.
As at 11 March 2004, there were a total of 364 female prisoners in HMP Edmunds Hill and the West Hill wing of HMP Winchester. Those who have not reached their release date by the time the re-role occurs will be transferred to other establishment.