HC Deb 24 April 1975 vol 890 c364W
Mr. Grocott

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of prisoners serving sentences of four years or more are released on parole at (a) the first application, (b) the second application and (c) subsequent applications.

Dr. Summerskill

In England and Wales during 1974, of prisoners who were serving determinate sentences of four years or more, 19 per cent. were released on parole as the result of a first review, and 34 per cent. as the result of a second or subsequent review. The figures available do not distinguish between a second and subsequent review.

Mr. Grocott

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what proportion of prisoners serving sentences of four years or more who are released on their third or subsequent applications for parole are readmitted to prison within two years:

(2) what proportion of prisoners serving sentences of four years or more who are released on their first application for parole are readmitted to prison within two years:

(3) what proportion of prisoners serving sentences of four years or more who are released on their second application for parole are readmitted to prison within two years.

Dr. Summerskill

I regret that the precise information is not available. Research has shown that, of a sample of prisoners serving sentences of four years or more in England and Wales and released on parole from October 1969 to March 1970, 12 per cent. were reimprisoned within two years of release.