Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Gordon Henderson and Jeremy Wright

Tuesday 5th February 2013 Commons Chamber

[Gordon Henderson (Sittingbourne and Sheppey) (Con)]

13. What plans he has for the provision of prison places.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice (Jeremy Wright)]

We will always ensure there are sufficient prison places for offenders sentenced to custody by the courts, and we will seek to do so increasingly in cheaper, more modern accommodation. We intend there to be at least as many adult male prison places at the end of this Parliament as there were at its start.

[Gordon Henderson]

When considering any future extension of the prison estate, will my hon. Friend consider the Isle of Sheppey as a suitable location for that expansion?

[Jeremy Wright]

We will consider all reasonable bids. My hon. Friend knows that we have looked, and are looking, into the feasibility of a new large prison. We have identified three parts of the country where we think there is a particularly strong case, but we will look carefully at any reasonable bids.