§ Mr. Hordernasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish a table showing how many prisoners are held in prisons built in the last 10 years, 20 years, 30 years, 50 years, and over 50 years; and how many places those prisons were originally designed to hold.
§ Mr. MayhewComprehensive information in the form requested is not available. The following table shows how many prisoners are held in prisons—not including borstals or detention centres—first used for the custody of offenders within the last 10, 20, 30 and 50 years, or more, and the present certified normal accommodation for each category.
Period of first use for the custody of offenders Number of prisoners held on 7 May 1982 Current certified normal accommodation Within the last 10 years 4,128 4,117 Between 11 and 20 years ago 5,602 5,442 Between 21 and 30 years ago 1,921 2,049 Between 31 and 50 years ago 2,005 2,009 More than 50 years ago 23,047 17,428 Total 36,703 31,045