Mr. Edward Taylorasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the average, longest and shortest period of imprisonment served by persons released from prison after serving life sentences in the most recent annual period for which figures are available; and what were the comparable figures in each of the previous 10 years.
§ Mr. CarlisleThe table below shows the average, longest and shortest period served by prisoners sentenced to life imprisonment, for whatever crime, released in England and Wales on licence during the last 11 years.
Year of release Average period served—years Longest period served—years Shortest period served—years 1971 10.5 24 3 1970 8.6 12 3 1969 8.8 12 5 1968 8.9 12 1* 1967 7.9 10 1 1966 8.8 11 7 1965 8.9 21 3 1964 8.3 15 3 1963 7.7 10 4 1962 8.6 14 5 1961 7.7 9 3 * Released after 6 months.