§ Mr. Matthew TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many prisoners held in Northern Ireland gaols are below the age of 21 years; and what is that figure as a percentage of all prisoners held in Northern Ireland gaols.
§ Mr. StanleyOn 5 June there were 95 prisoners under the age of 21 years. This is 5.7 per cent. of the total of 1,679 prisoners in the five prisons for adults in Northern Ireland. In addition there were 179 inmates under 21 years ordered to be detained in young offenders' centres. This is 90.9 per cent. of the total of 197 YOC inmates. Offenders aged under 21 who are given sentences of less than three years are required by law to be detained in young offenders' centres rather than prisons.