HC Deb 02 February 1978 vol 943 cc267-8W
18. Mr. Nelson

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his latest estimate of the respective costs per week of keeping a person in prison, keeping him or her on probation and imposing a community service order.

Mr. John

We estimate that in 1977–78 the average weekly cost of keeping a person in custody will be about £96. A wholly comparable calculation for probation is not possible, but I estimate that the current cost is about £4.

33. Mr. Grocott

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the current weekly cost of keeping a prisoner in Her Majesty's prisons.

Mr. John

In 1975–76, the last financial year for which full details are available, the average weekly cost of keeping a person in custody was £78. It is estimated that this figure will be about £90 per week for 1976–77 and £96 per week in 1977–78.