HC Deb 13 May 1991 vol 191 c9W
Mr. Nellist

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many places, not including accommodation temporarily taken out of use for refurbishment, are currently provided in prisons; and what is the total prison population at the latest convenient date.

Mrs. Rumbold

On 9 May the total certified normal accommodation of prison service establishments was 44,336 places. This figure excluded places taken out of use for major refurbishment, but included places taken temporarily out of use for repairs or minor refurbishment—for example, for the installation of integral sanitation systems. On the same day, the prison population, including prisoners held in police cells, was 45,262.