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<p>Up until the end of 2011-12 information was collected on the average hours per
weekday that prisoners were unlocked. By subtracting the average hours unlocked from
the 24 hours in a day it is possible to estimate hours spent locked in cell. Figures
for each prison establishment for the three years from 2009-10 to 2011-12 have been
placed in the library of the House.</p><p> </p><p>It should be noted that time in
cell includes hours when prisoners are asleep. Time unlocked includes time where a
prisoner is either out of their cell or where the cell door is unlocked allowing them
to move freely in and out of the cell.</p><p> </p><p>Time unlocked was discontinued
as a performance indicator for prisons at the end of 2011-12 because it was not used
in the day-to-day management of prisons and NOMS had concerns over the burden on the
frontline of collecting the data. Indicators introduced into prison SLAs in respect
of rehabilitation, resettlement and work in prisons provide a better demonstration
of efforts to prepare prisoners for release and reduce reoffending.</p><p> </p><p>Figures
have been drawn from administrative IT systems, which, as with any large scale recording
system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing. Figures for
time in cell for the years 2012-13 and 2013-14 could only be obtained at disproportionate
cost.</p><p> </p><p>Work in prisons is a key priority to ensure prisoners are engaged
purposefully whilst they are in custody. It also gives them the opportunity to learn
skills and a work ethic which can increase their chances of finding employment on
release, a key element to reducing reoffending.</p><p> </p><p>The number of prisoners
working in industrial activity across public sector prisons increased from around
8,600 in 2010-11 (the first year for which figures are available) to around 9,700
in 2012-13. This delivered an increase in the total hours worked in industrial activities
from 10.6 million hours to 13.1 million hours. Private sector prisons have also been
supporting this agenda and have reported that they delivered over 1½ million prisoner
working hours in commercial and industrial workshops in 2012-13 which provided work
for over 1,200 prisoners. In addition there are substantial numbers of prisoners who
work to keep prisons running on tasks such as cooking, serving meals, maintenance
and cleaning.</p><p> </p><p>Figures for public sector prisons are published in the
NOMS Annual Report Management Information Addendum:<a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/225225/mi-addendum.pdf"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/225225/mi-addendum.pdf</a></p><p>
</p><p>The establishment-level breakdown of weekly hours worked is not available centrally
for 2011-12 and 2012-13 and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.</p><p>
</p><p>Information on the proportion of prisoners classed as unemployed is not available
centrally and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.</p><p> </p><p>Our reforms
to the Incentives and Earned Privileges national policy framework came into effect
in adult prisons on 1 November 2013. Prisoners will be expected to engage in purposeful
activity, as well as demonstrate a commitment towards their rehabilitation, reduce
their risk of reoffending, behave well and help others if they are to earn privileges.</p><p>
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