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Written question asked by John McDonnell (Labour) on Thursday, 14 July 2011, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 19 July 2011. It was answered by Crispin Blunt (Conservative) on Tuesday, 19 July 2011 on behalf of the Ministry of Justice.

Prisons

Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 13 July 2011, Official Report, column 31WS, on prison and probation services, in what ways (a) HMP Latchmere House and (b) HMP Brockhill are (i) not considered to be fit for purpose and (ii) unable to deliver high quality, cost effective and secure regimes; and if he will make a statement.
Answer

There is currently a substantial gap between our available capacity and the actual population. We also have 2,500 spaces coming on line over the next 12 months and our assessment of the population projections is that there is now an opportunity to close places.To determine which places could be closed there has been a rigorous economic and operational evaluation process of every establishment in the prison estate. This evaluation considered factors such as operating costs, outstanding maintenance issues and the geographic and strategic function that establishments provide to the rest of the Prison Service to identify prisons that can close during this financial year. The selection of which places to close is not based on performance of establishments.These two sites provide the best option from those identified through our evaluation process to close the available gap between population and capacity. HMP Brockhill is in need of costly remedial work and there are options for the redeployment of staff. Having made the decision on HMP Brockhill, HMP Latchmere House was the best establishment to close given the size of the gap that remains, it occupies a valuable site whose sale will make a significant contribution to the savings target, and its staff can be redeployed at other establishments in the region.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
67892; 531 c900-1W
Session
2010-12
Related items
Subjects
Prisons Standards
Link
View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk