HC Deb 22 May 1986 vol 98 c256W
22. Mr. Maclennan

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the latest available figure for the average daily population in prisons, hostels and detention centres; and how this total compares with the statistic for 1979.

Mr. Mellor

On 9 May 1986 there were 45,708 prisoners held in prisons, remand centres and youth custody centres and 1,140 in detention centres in England and Wales. On 30 April 1979, the nearest equivalent date for which figures are available, there were 38,402 prisoners held in prisons, remand centres, young offender prisons and borstals and 3,728 in detention centres. Figures for prisoners in hostels are not recorded separately.

The latest available figures showing the distinction between prisoners convicted, unconvicted and held for civil offences can only be supplied for 31 March 1986 and I shall compare these to figures recorded for 31 March 1979 as follows. Convicted prisoners held were 38,449 in 1986 as against 37,998 in 1979. Those unconvicted held in 1986 numbered 8,115 compared to 3,907 in 1979. Those held in connection with civil proceedings numbered 234 in 1986 and 600 in 1979.