HC Deb 17 January 1984 vol 52 c200W
Mr. Peter Bruinvels

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the actual prison population and the certified normal accommodation in Northern Ireland on 1 January in each of the last 10 years.

Mr. Scott

The prison population and the number of places available as at 1 January of each of the last 10 years was as follows:

Year Prison Population Places Available
1984 2,326 2,455
1983 2,502 2,455
1982 2,444 2,455
1981 2,421 2,495
1980 2,651 2,765
1979 2,811 2,625
1978 2,877 2,793
1977 2,581 2,614
1976 2,704 1,901
1975 2,555 2,317

The population totals include, as well as both sentenced and unconvicted prisoners, those detained in young offenders centres—from 1980—and borstal institutions—up to and including 1980—and also, for 1975 only, those detained under emergency legislation. The number of places available includes hutted accommodation at Maze compound prison and similar accommodation which was in use at Magilligan prison until 1981.

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