Written question asked by Chris Mullin (Labour) on Monday, 15 October 2007, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 17 October 2007. It was answered by Lord Hanson of Flint (Labour) on Monday, 22 October 2007 on behalf of the Ministry of Justice.

Prisons: Visits

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what steps the National Offender Management Service has taken in response to representations from the Prisoners' Families Helpline as regards visit booking arrangements at HMPs Risley, Wandsworth and New Hall.

Answer: New Hall has undertaken a thorough review of its systems following representations from the Prisoners' Family Helpline. Booking hours have been extended and no subsequent complaints have been received since implementation on 27 September 2007.At Wandsworth solutions are being sought to speed up the booking process and, since 2006, both remand and convicted prisoners are able to book their own visits internally. It is also open to all visitors to book their next visit before they leave Wandsworth.Risley has taken measures to improve and speed up its system and introduced a second booking line, and a further member of staff to double their capacity for taking calls.

Secondary information