To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many hours of exercise women in (a) a normal prison environment and (b) prison mother and baby units receive each week. (295204)

The information requested is not available. However, figures are available for the percentage of women prisoners attending physical education. During the period April to September 2009, an average of 50.3 per cent. of women prisoners were attending structured physical education. This is a rise from 50 per cent. in 2008-09 and 43.1 per cent. in 2007-08.

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what diet is provided for women in (a) prison mother and baby units and (b) women’s prisons. (295214)

All prisons, including those with women prisoners, provide multi-choice pre-select menus from which prisoners make their individual choices. Each prison devises a menu based on a number of factors including gender and age.

Detailed catering guidance is provided to all prisons. The guidance includes sample menus for women prisoners together with nutritional analysis. The document also contains specific advice and guidance to catering staff relating to pregnant women and mothers in prison mother and baby units and women who have recently given birth and/or who are nursing mothers. Pregnant women, mothers in mother and baby units and women who have recently given birth and/or who are nursing mothers will normally make choices from the daily menu, with any required additional supplements provided by health care staff to meet their individual and specific needs.