Mr. W. T. Williamsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many male and female prisoners, respectively, are now serving sentences in Her Majesty's Prisons for a term of six months or less; and what is the approximate average cost of maintenance weekly of each such prisoner.
§ Miss BaconThese figures are not readily available; but during 1963 31,745 males and 2,194 females were committed to prisons in England and Wales to serve sentences of imprisonment of six months or less. These persons represent a daily average population of about 6,100 male and 350 females. It is estimated that the approximate average weekly cost of maintaining a prisoner during the year ended 31st March, 1963, was £9 12s. 4d.