asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the staffing complement currently employed at Frankland prison; what is the recommended optimum number; and what steps he is taking to hasten recruitment.

There are 196 discipline officers currently in post at Frankland, which is the recommended optimum number for the wings at present occupied. Most of the staff are being obtained by transfer from other establishments rather than by recruitment and any necessary additional transfers will take place in step with the build-up of the population.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many places are currently available at Frankland prison; and how many inmates there are.

The certified normal accommodation for that part of the prison available for use is 107. On 23 April the population was 74.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the target date for the full use of Frankland prison.

In view of the present high level of the prison population in England and Wales, it has been decided that the accommodation at Frankland should be used for prisoners in categories B and C who do not need dispersal standards of security. This will enable the best use to be made of the buildings and of the available staff and will help to reduce overcrowding in other prisons. We expect that the accommodation will be in full use by the early part of next year.