Written question asked by Karl Turner (Labour) on Tuesday, 21 June 2011, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 23 June 2011. It was answered by Crispin Blunt (Conservative) on Monday, 27 June 2011 on behalf of the Ministry of Justice.

Young Offender Institutions

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice which wings within HM Young Offender Institution (a) Rochester and (b) Portland are to be re-rolled to provide accommodation for prisoners aged over 21 years; and how many places this will create for adult prisoners in each establishment.

Answer: Young adults sentenced to detention in a young offender institution (DYOI) are detained in young offender institutions (YOIs) as required by section 98 of the Powers of the Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000. These are normally self-contained but in some establishments that have a dual designation (designed both as a prison and a YOI) young adults are held alongside adults with which they share the majority of their facilities. Whatever the location, young adults detained in YOIs have separate sleeping accommodation.At HMP/YOI Portland, Nelson wing has been assigned to hold adult prisoners and will provide around 70 adult places.At HMP/YOI Rochester, F, G, H and R wings have been assigned to hold adult prisoners and will provide around 300 adult places.

Secondary information