Written question asked by Gordon Prentice (Labour) on Monday, 19 January 1998, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 2 February 1998. It was answered by Baroness Quin (Labour) on Monday, 2 February 1998 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, What assessment he has made of the advantages and disadvantages of prison ships. (Failed OPQ).

Answer: Mr. Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the advantages and disadvantages of prison ships. [24628] Ms Quin: The Prison Service has only one ship, Her Majesty's Prison Weare, based in Portland. This ship was obtained as an exceptional measure to cope immediately with an unprecedented surge in the prison population. The Weare provides suitable accommodation equivalent to one medium-sized prison and thus helps to avoid costly and inappropriate use of police cells. However, there are no plans to use further prison ships.

Secondary information