Written question asked by David Kidney (Labour) on Thursday, 7 December 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 11 December 2006. It was answered by Gerry Sutcliffe (Labour) on Tuesday, 19 December 2006 on behalf of the Home Office.

Prisons

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to ensure that children and young people held in prisons have adequate access to (a) physical exercise and (b) outdoor activities.

Answer: The Youth Justice Board has the responsibility for commissioning custodial places for young people. Funding allocated to the Prison Service by the YJB and the Learning and Skills Council aims to deliver, in accordance with standards set by those bodies, a physical education programme that meets each young person's individual needs and abilities; and also aims to ensure each young person, weather permitting, receives access to sufficient outside activities.

Secondary information