§ Mr. Alex Carlileasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners currently serving 425W sentences of life imprisonment have been held in prison for more than 15 years; and what was the comparable figure one year and two years ago, respectively.
§ Mr. MellorThe readily available information is given in the following table:
Population* of life sentence prisoners in prison department establishments in England and Wales whose initial reception into a prison department establishment under sentence was more than 15 years earlier† Number* Life imprisonment Other indeterminate sentences‡ Total 28 February 1982 Total 89 2 91 Of which recalls║ 34 1 35 28 February 1983 Total 94 2 96 Of which recalls║ 34 — 34 29 February 1984 Total ¶10 3 113 Of which recalls║ ¶33 — 33 * The figures are those recorded centrally and are approximate detailed checking of individual cases would involve disproportionate cost † Includes time spent on licence by prisoners recalled after having been released on licence ‡ Detention during Her Majesty's pleasure or for life under section 53, Children and Young Persons Act 1933 ║ Prisoners who had been recalled after having been released on licence { Including persons treated as sentenced to custody for life under Sch 17, paragraph 8, Criminal Justice Act 1982