HC Deb 25 July 1985 vol 83 cc668-9W
Mr. Bermingham

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what is the maximum capacity of each penal establishment in England and Wales and the number detained in each establishment at the latest date available;

(2) how many prisoners were detained in each penal establishment in England and Wales on 31 December 1984, 31 December 1983, 31 December 1982 and 31 December 1981.

Mr. Mellor

My noble Friend will write to the hon. Member.

Mr. Bermingham

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the number of prisoners remanded in custody awaiting trial as of 30 June or the latest date available in England and Wales.

Mr. Mellor

On 30 June 1985, about 8,300 untried prisoners were in prison department establishments in England and Wales. Information on how many were awaiting commencement of their trial is not available centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Mr. Bermingham

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the number of persons remanded in custody awaiting trial at the latest date available who have been remanded in custody for (a) more than three months, (b) more than six months, (c) more than nine months, (d) more than 12 months, (e) more than 15 months, (f) more than 18 months and (g) in excess of 18 months specifying the numbers, remand prison by remand prison.

Mr. Mellor

I shall reply as soon as possible.

Mr. Pawsey

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement about the recent increase in the prison population.

Mr. Brittan

The prison population increased by about 5,400 between the end of September 1984 and the end of June 1985. Seven hundred of that increase was in the remand population, the growth of which has, however, slackened in recent months. The remainder was in the population of sentenced prisoners and mainly amongst sentenced adults. Information on sentencing is not yet available for 1985, and a full analysis of the factors contributing to the increase cannot therefore be made. But our current assessment is that it has been mainly due to a larger number of defendants being dealt with by the Crown court and a larger proportion of them being given a custodial sentence. There was also evidence towards the end of 1984 of an increase in the length of custodial sentences being imposed by the Crown court for some types of offences, which may be a contributory factor. I intend to provide a fuller account of recent changes in the prison population in a statistical bulletin to be published in the autumn.