Written question asked by Max Madden (Labour), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 17 March 1997. It was answered by Ann Widdecombe (Conservative) on Monday, 17 March 1997 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office;Prison Service

Question: In what circumstances (a) remand and (b) convicted prisoners, detained at HMP Holloway, are required to accept deductions from income in respect of board and lodging charges. - Text of letter from A J Pearson of the Prison Service. (Holding answer 11 March 1997).

Answer: Mr. Madden: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in what circumstances (a) remand and (b) convicted prisoners, detained at HMP Holloway, are required to accept deductions from income in respect of board and lodging charges; and if he will make a statement. [19742] Miss Widdecombe: [holding answer 11 March 1997]: Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given. Letter from A. J. Pearson to Mr. Max Madden, dated 17 March 1997: The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your recent Question about deductions of income at Holloway prison in respect of board and lodging charges. Deductions are made from prisoners in jobs where they are paid `real wages'. These prisoners contribute 25 per cent of their earnings to the prison--up to a maximum of £24 a week. There are currently six prisoners employed full-time in such positions, each earning an average of approximately £75 a week. In addition, up to 40 prisoners are employed on a casual basis earning on average approximately £20 a week. With the exception of one of the full-time positions--which involves working outside the prison and is therefore restricted to convicted prisoners--these jobs are open to both convicted and unconvicted prisoners.

Secondary information