Written question asked by Tony Cunningham (Labour) on Monday, 20 October 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 23 October 2003. It was answered by Malcolm Wicks (Labour) on Thursday, 23 October 2003 on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.

Dept for Work and Pensions;Jobcentre Plus

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many job points there are in prisons in the UK. - Including text of letter from David Anderson of Jobcentre Plus.

Answer: Tony Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many job points there are in prisons in the UK. [133953] Malcolm Wicks: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus, David Anderson. He will write to the hon. Member. Letter from David Anderson to Tony Cunningham, dated 23 October 2003: As Jobcentre Plus is an Executive Agency, the Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question concerning how many Jobpoints there are in prisons in the UK. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of the Agency. We have piloted a new scheme placing Jobpoints in four prisons to establish if this will assist prisoners in finding jobs. These were installed between July and October 2002 and have proved to be successful. Jobpoints were distributed as follows: HMP Featherstone: 1 Jobpoint HMP Hollesley Bay: 1 Jobpoint HMP Lewes: 2 Jobpoints HMP Swansea: 2 Jobpoints We are planning to install Jobpoints in a further ten prisons in late spring/early summer 2004. I hope this is helpful.

Secondary information