Written question asked by Vincent Cable (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 26 February 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 6 March 2003. It was answered by Hilary Benn (Labour) on Thursday, 6 March 2003 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when he expects the Prisoners Advice and Care Trust to take over the running of the visitors' centre booking line at HMP/YOI Holloway; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Dr. Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects the Prisoners Advice and Care Trust to take over the running of the visitors' centre booking line at HMP/YOI Holloway; and if he will make a statement. [100238] Hilary Benn: Holloway will have its telephone system upgraded in July 2003 and the Governor will then introduce changes to the existing arrangements. Proposals include the separation of professional and social telephone booking line arrangements whereby prison staff will continue to organise and run professional visits but a separate line for social visits will be staffed by a telephone operator. The system will be based in the prison and will have a line which would enable people who are finishing their visits to book the next visit before they leave the prison. Discussions with the Prisoners Advice and Care Trust are not yet concluded but the Governor of Holloway expects to finalise arrangements in the next month ahead of the new system being put in place later this year.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 100238; 400 c1236W;400 c1225-6W
Session: 2002-03
Subjects: Prisons Telephone services HMP/YOI Holloway Visits Prisoners' Advice Service
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk