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Home Office

Answer

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the number of prisoners who share a cell designed for one person. [133865] Paul Goggins: As at 30 September 2003, 22.5 per cent. of the prisoner population were sharing two to a cell designed for one. This Equates to 16,552 prisoners. The data are provisional and subject to validation by establishments. The Prison Service keeps the impact of population pressures--including overcrowding on prisoners in all prisons--under careful review. The Government's programme of building and refurbishment will increase the Prison Service's capacity to 78,700 by 2006, including the provision of around 3,000 additional places in existing prisons by 2006. In addition, a new unit opened recently at Birmingham prison, six months ahead of schedule, and this will offer a further 452 places. A further 1,290 places will be provided by the new prisons currently under construction at Ashford (near Heathrow) and Peterborough, scheduled to open in June 2004 and March 2005 respectively. The Government's programme of building and refurbishment will increase the Prison Service's capacity to 78,700 by 2006. A new unit opened recently at Birmingham prison, six months ahead of schedule, and this will offer 452 places. A further 1,290 places will be provided by the new prisons currently under construction at Ashford (near Heathrow) and Peterborough, scheduled to open in June 2004 and March 2005 respectively.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

133865; 413 c114-5W

Session

2002-03

Subjects

Prisoners Prisons Overcrowding Prison accommodation

Contains statistics

Yes

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk