Mr. E. HARVEYasked how many prisons have been closed as prisons since the commencement of the War, and what use is now being made of the staff of these prisons; what is the number of male and female prisoners, respectively, at present serving sentences in prisons in England and Wales; and what were the numbers so serving at the corresponding period of 1914?
§ Sir G. CAVESeventeen prisons have been closed. The staff has been transferred to other prisons to fill vacancies largely caused by officers who had attested being released for military service. The total number of the male prison staff is reduced from 3,001 to 1,991. The number of male and female prisoners in local and convict prisons on 31st March, 1914, and at present are, respectively:
Males. Females. Total. At present … 7,511 1,788 9,299 On 31st March, 1914 … 14,384 2,343 16,727