Prison Population (Hansard, 25 March 1980)

§ Mr. Kilroy-Silk
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the total number of people in prison on the latest available date; and if he will take steps to reduce the number.

§ Mr. Brittan
On 29 February 1980 there were 44,131 persons in prison department establishments in England and Wales and the number has risen further since then. As to the latter part of the question, I refer the hon. Member to the reply my right hon. Friend gave on 18 March to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for Brigg and Scunthorpe (Mr. Brown).—[Vol. 980, c.114–5.]

§ Mr. Wheeler
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what the effect would be on the numbers held in prison if the power to imprison for road traffic offences, with the exception of death by dangerous driving, were removed from the courts;
(2) what the effect would be on the numbers held in prison if the power to imprison for prostitution offences were removed from the courts.

§ Mr. Brittan
The number of people held in prison at any one time as a result of motoring offences, including being in charge or driving under the influence of drink or drugs, is about 500 and for offences relating to prostitution it is about 80. Removal of the power to imprison for these offences would therefore have some effect on the numbers held in prison, but this effect would be diminished if, as a result of fines being imposed instead of imprisonment, the number of people imprisoned in default of payment of fines increased.

§ Mr. Wheeler
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the effect would be on the numbers held in 520W prison if the power to imprison for drunkenness were removed from the courts.

§ Mr. Brittan
Imprisonment has not been available as a sanction for drunkenness since 1 February 1978, when the Criminal Justice Act 1967 (Commencement No. 4) Order 1977 brought into effect section 91 of the Criminal Justice Act 1967. Imprisonment can be imposed in default of payment of a fine for drunkenness; the average daily population of such offenders is approximately 80.