Written question asked by Bob Russell (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 14 April 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 1 May 2003. It was answered by Hilary Benn (Labour) on Thursday, 1 May 2003 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans he has to extend the prison visitor centre to all prison establishments; and if he will provide additional funding.

Answer: Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to extend the prison visitor centre to all prison establishments; and if he will provide additional funding. [110084] Hilary Benn: There are a growing number of visitors' centres. We acknowledge their potential in assisting the delivery of our aims and aim to provide such a centre at each prison. However, the considerable financial and other resources needed to run visitors' centres effectively, and the many competing priorities within the Prison Service, have prevented some establishments from making as much progress as we would like. All newly-built and contracted-out establishments are required to have a visitors' centre under the terms of their contract. We continue to work closely with the voluntary/ community sector in enhancing and developing visitors' centres and I would like to take this opportunity to thank them for their efforts.

Secondary information