Lord Actonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Statement by Baroness Scotland of Asthal on 19 January (Official Report, col. 871–872) that "we have fewer women in prison today than we had a year ago", what are the relevant figures. [HL987]
§ Baroness Scotland of AsthalOn Friday 14 January 2005, there were 4,147 females held in prison establishments in England and Wales, as recorded on the Prison Service central IT system. On the equivalent130WA Friday in 2004, the female prison population in England and Wales was 4,307. On 14 January 2005, there were 307 females in prisons in Scotland. This compares to 319 females on the equivalent Friday in 2004. On 14 January 2005 there were 30 females in prisons in Northern Ireland, compared to 23 females on the equivalent Friday in 2004.