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Prisoners

Answer

Figures for average time in cell per week day in each prison and each category of prison for the five years to 2011-12 were provided in my reply of 6 June 2013 to the right hon. Gentleman’s earlier question:

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201314/cmhansrd/cm130606/text/130606w0003.htm#13060674001141

The earlier reply also included a link to the published information on purposeful activity in each prison and category of prison.

Table 1 as follows shows time in cell and purposeful activity in each month in 2009-10, 2010-11 and 2011-12.

Table 1
	Purposeful activity—average hours per prisoner per week	Time in cell—average hours per prisoner per weekday
April 2009	24.3	14.6
May 2009	24.3	14.5
June 2009	25.3	14.4
July 2009	25.2	14.4
August 2009	24.4	14.6
September 2009	25.1	14.5
October 2009	24.7	14.5
November 2009	25.0	14.4
December 2009	22.2	14.8
January 2010	23.9	14.7
February 2010	24.7	14.6
March 2010	24.2	14.6
April 2010	24.3	14.5
May 2010	24.2	14.4
June 2010	24.9	14.4
July 2010	24.9	14.5
August 2010	24.4	14.5
September 2010	25.0	14.5
October 2010	25.1	14.4
November 2010	24.7	14.5
December 2010	23.1	14.7
January 2011	25.1	14.4
February 2011	25.2	14.4
March 2011	25.5	14.4
April 2011	23.9	14.6
May 2011	24.7	14.5
June 2011	25.4	14.3
July 2011	25.5	14.4
August 2011	24.5	14.5
September 2011	25.1	14.4
October 2011	25.0	14.4
November 2011	25.0	14.5
December 2011	23.1	14.7
January 2012	24.4	14.5
February 2012	24.7	14.7
March 2012	24.9	14.6

The figures for time in cell are derived from information collected on the average hours per weekday that prisoners are unlocked. By subtracting the average hours unlocked from the 24 hours in a day it is possible to estimate hours spent locked in cell. It should be noted that time in cell includes hours when prisoners are asleep. Time unlocked includes time where a prisoner is either out of their cell or where the cell door is unlocked allowing them to move freely in and out of the cell.

Figures have been drawn from administrative IT systems, which, as with any large scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing.

Work in prisons remains a key priority to ensure prisoners are engaged purposefully while they are in custody. It also gives them the opportunity to learn skills and a work ethic which can increase their chances of finding employment on release, a key element to reducing reoffending.

Our reforms to the Incentives and Earned Privileges national policy framework came into effect in adult prisons on 1 November 2013. Prisoners will be expected to engage in purposeful activity, as well as demonstrate a commitment towards their rehabilitation, reduce their risk of reoffending, behave well and help others if they are to earn privileges.

The number of prisoners working in industrial activity in public sector prisons has increased since 2010. This delivered an increase in the total hours worked in industrial activities from 10.6 million hours to 13.1 million hours.

In addition there are substantial numbers of prisoners who work to keep prisons running on tasks such as cooking, serving meals, maintenance and cleaning.

Figures are published in the NOMS Annual Report Management Information Addendum:

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/225225/mi-addendum.pdf

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

178088; 572 cc500-2W

Session

2013-14

Subjects

Prisoners

Contains statistics

Yes

Link

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