Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, with reference to expansion works at HMPs Guys Marsh, Rye Hill, Stocken and High Down, announced on 12 October 2020, what estimate he has made of the effect of expansion on access to (a) outdoor, (b) activity and (c) workshop space per prisoner at each of those prisons.

As well as adding extra capacity, these expansions will also include development to address the impact on prison regime, the need for purposeful activity (including workshop space), and outside space resulting from the increased prisoner numbers.

The proposed development at HMP High Down will create a new workshop building, freeing up space in the main areas of the prison where workshops are currently situated to create new capacity for 90 additional prisoners.

We are working with Governors and other partners to develop plans that will deliver the appropriate level of regime and other support services necessary to manage the increases in population at those sites.