Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many prisoners held in contracted-out prisons were eligible to have access to subscription channels provided by British Sky Broadcasting in (a) 2010, (b) 2011, (c) 2012 and (c) 2013.

As part of the review of the Incentives and Earned Privileges national policy framework, contracted-out prisons were required to remove subscription television services by 31 July 2013.

It would not be possible to provide the information requested without incurring disproportionate cost. However, I am able to inform the hon Member that, as at 14 September 2012, an estimated 2976 prisoners in contracted-out prisons were eligible to access subscription channels provided by British Sky Broadcasting.