HC Deb 01 April 1982 vol 21 cc154-5W
Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of the 4,800 untried and unconvicted prisoners incarcerated in British prisons on 31 January had been in prison for periods between one to three months, three to six months, six months to one year and more than one year; and whether, in pursuance of his policy of reducing pressure within prisons, he will release these people rather than release or shorten sentences of convicted criminals.

Mr. Mayhew

[pursuant to his reply, 18 March 1982, c. 173–74]: The information available is given in the following table:

Estimated population of untried and unconvicted prisoners in prison department establishment in England and Wales on 31 January 1982: by length of time since initial remand in custody
Length of time since initial remand in custody* Estimated number
Up to 1 month 2,200
Over 1 month up to 3 months 1,500
Over 3 months up to 6 months 800
Over 6 months up to 12 months 400
Over 12 months 100
Total †5,000
* Including any time which may have been spent on bail after the initial remand in custody.
† Figure revised from "about 4,800" given in a previous reply, 11 March 1982, c. 466.

Offences currently recorded as homicide where the victim was a police officer on duty by apparent method of killing and outcome of court proceedings.
England and Wales
Year of offence Method of killing Court disposal of principal suspect
1965 Shooting Unfit to plead
Sharp instrument Death commuted to life imprisonment
1966 Shooting Life imprisonment
Shooting Life imprisonment
Shooting Life imprisonment
Sharp instrument Detained during Her Majesty's Pleasure
1967 Car 8 years imprisonment
1968
1969 Sharp instrument Hospital order (s. 60/65 Mental Health Act 1959)
1970 Shooting Life imprisonment
1971 Shooting Life imprisonment
Shooting Life imprisonment
1972 Shooting Life imprisonment
1973 Car 7 years imprisonment
Shooting Life imprisonment
1974 Shooting Life imprisonment
1975 Shooting No suspect(*)
Sharp instrument Life imprisonment
Shooting Life imprisonment
1976
1977 Sharp instrument Life imprisonment
1978 Blunt instrument Life imprisonment
1979 Sharp instrument 8 years imprisonment
1980 Sharp instrument Life imprisonment
1981† Sharp instrument Detained during Her Majesty's Pleasure
Car 9 years imprisonment
(*) This offence is currently recorded as attributed to an act of terrorism. The alleged offender is still being sought.
(†) Provisional.

Forward to