Written question asked by David Drew (Labour) on Tuesday, 23 March 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 15 November 2004. It was answered by Paul Goggins (Labour) on Monday, 15 November 2004 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what contingency plans are in place if the expected reductions in the prison population outlined in Reducing Crime - Changing Lives are not realised. - Inc figures.

Answer: Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what contingency plans are in place if the expected reductions in the prison population outlined in Reducing Crime--Changing Lives are not realised. [163983] Paul Goggins: The impact of population pressures is kept under careful review. The National Offender Management Service will continue to investigate options for further increases in capacity over the coming years. In addition to the extra 2,400 places already planned, funding of around £100 million has now been provided for a new programme to create a further 1,300 prison places. This will increase the total operating capacity of the prison estate to around 80,800 places by 2006-07. The National Offender Management Service also has options and plans in place for the development of new prison sites, if required.

Secondary information