§ Captain Kerbyasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the average daily prison population; how many men are confined three or more to a cell; what is the average weekly wage and hours worked; and what provision is made to find accommodation and work for short-term prisoners on their discharge.
§ Mr. BrookeThe daily average population of prisons is calculated only in respect of calendar years. For 1961 it was, in England and Wales, 23,188 males and 760 females. On 16th October, 1962, out of 25,178 occupants of male prisons, 8,532 slept three to a cell and 4,600 in dormitories for four or more.
Prisoners, except for some 150 in the prison hostel scheme, do not receive normal wages. A payment is made to all convicted prisoners according to the work they do, unless this is forfeited by a breach of discipline. The minimum rate is 3s. a week and the average about 5s.
Hours of work vary greatly according to the circumstances of the particular establishment. In closed local prisons, the weekly hours in most workshops fall within the range 15 to 25; inmates employed other than in workshops may work longer hours. In open prisons, and in closed regional and central prisons, a working week of 35 hours and upwards is generally achieved.
Prison welfare officers are available to assist prisoners with arrangements for discharge, in co-operation with the local Discharged Prisoners' Aid Society, the Ministry of Labour and the National Assistance Board. The organisation of after-care is being examined by a Sub-Committee of my Advisory Council on the Treatment of Offenders.