(2) how many prisons spaces have been lost since 1997;
(3) how many new prison spaces have become available in each year since 1997;
(4) how many new prisons opened in each year since 1997.
Since 1997 only two prisons have closed, HMP Aldington in 1999 and HMP The Weare in 2005.
It is not possible to say how many prison places have been taken out of use since 1997 as the total number of prison places fluctuates depending on temporary schemes such as refurbishment and changes in use. Prison places may be permanently taken out of use as a result of prison closures or may be decommissioned due to the unsatisfactory state of the accommodation. Where decommissioned, and as part of our ongoing maintenance programme, many of these have been rebuilt and re-opened as new accommodation.
There are at present five wings/spurs across the estate that are not fit for purpose and are permanently out of use, with a total of around 350 places. This in is in addition to the total of 540 places taken out of use following the closure of the two prisons.
Despite the loss of these places, since 1997 we have overall increased prison capacity and improved the standard of prison accommodation available in both new and existing prisons. We have opened a total of 10 new prisons (see following table):
Number of new prisons opened 1997 2 1998 1 1999 1 2000 1 2001 2 2002 0 2003 0 2004 1 2005 1 2006 0 2007 1 2008 0
Overall, we have delivered around 21,000 new places since 1997 through building new prisons and expansions at existing sites. The total delivered each year is set out in the following table.
Places delivered 1997 4,716 1998 1,222 1999 1,646 2000 640 2001 920 2002 1,780 2003 1,376 2004 2,570 2005 940 2006 900 2007 1,526 2008 2,735