§ Mr. Dubsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners in England and Wales are currently serving sentences of nine months or less; and what is his estimate of the reduction in the prison population that would be achieved by reducing the period of eligibility for parole to six months in custody.
§ Mr. MellorThe latest readily available information on prisoners serving sentences of nine months or less is given in the attached table. It is estimated that reducing the minimum qualifying period for parole from its current level to six months would reduce the prison population eventually by about 2,500 sentenced prisoners.
Population* of prison department establishments in England and Wales on 30 September 1983 who were serving sentences of 9 months or less: by type of custody †Number Imprisonment* 7,300 Youth custody 2,700 Total 9,900 * Rounded estimates; including fine defaulters excluding those serving detention centre orders. † Figures rounded independently and so the components do not add to the total.