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Prison Development Group

Oral Answers to Questions — Public Building and Works – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 21 December 1964.

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Photo of Mr Richard Sharples Mr Richard Sharples , Sutton and Cheam 12:00, 21 December 1964

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works, if he will make a statement with regard to the work of the Prison Development Group.

Miss Lee:

The Prison Development Group, which is staffed jointly by the Prison Department of the Home Office and this Ministry, has put in hand a study of the accommodation needed for the application of modern penal methods in secure prisons for men. Later the Group will undertake a technical study of construction methods, including industrialised building techniques.

Photo of Mr Richard Sharples Mr Richard Sharples , Sutton and Cheam

May I thank the hon. Lady for that reply? In any consideration of new construction methods for the next generation of prisons, will consideration be given to the type of construction on which prison labour can be employed?

Miss Lee:

Everything like that is being taken into consideration. It is a very comprehensive survey, looking after the interests both of the prisoners and of the staff, and everything that can be done in order to ensure proper rehabilitation and recreation will be done.

Photo of Sir Godfrey Nicholson Sir Godfrey Nicholson , Farnham

With what measure of urgency is this inquiry being undertaken? Will it be many, many years before there will be modern prisons?

Miss Lee:

This scheme is very comprehensive. When it is completed one of the new prisons will be developed along those lines, but in the meantime points of action are being taken up so that they can be applied to whatever prison buildings are now in the process of erection.

Minister

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