HC Deb 11 March 1985 vol 75 cc26-7W
Mr. Boyes

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cells at Durham prison are occupied by (a) one person, (b) two persons, (c) three persons, and (d) more than three persons, respectively.

Mr. Mellor

On 10 February 1985 there were 175 cells each holding one prisoner (139 male, 36 female), 270 cells each holding two prisoners (all male) and 121 cells each holding three prisoners (all male). In addition there were 25 prisoners (24 male, 1 female) in hospital places and 30 male prisoners in multi-bedded dormitories.

Mr. Boyes

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners there are in Durham prison, shown by sex, length of sentence, offence and age, or other suitable bands.

Mr. Mellor

The available information is given in the following tables:

Population of Durham prison on 31 January 1985: by sex, age and type of prisoner
Number
Under 21 21 and over
Type of prisoner Male Female Male Female
Untried 4 260
Convicted unsentenced 40
Non-criminal 9
Sentenced 66 626 37
TOTAL 70 935 37

Sentenced population of Durham prison on 31 January 1985: by sex, age and length of sentence
Number
Under 21 21 and over
Length of sentence Male Female Male Female
Up to and including 18 months 34 402
Over 18 months up to and including 3 years 26 149 3
Over 3 years up to and including 4 years 4 45 2
Over 4 years up to and including 10 years 2 20 15
Over 10 years but less than life 2 2
Life 8 15
TOTAL 66 626 37

Sentenced population of Durham prison on 31 January 1985: by sex, age and offence group
Estimated number*
Under 21 21 and over
offence group Male Female Male Female
Violence against then person 5 76 20
Sexual offences 3 34 1
Burglary 38 189 2
Robbery 7 29 1
Theft, handling, fraud and forgery 9 164
Other offence 3 99 13
Not recorded 1 35
TOTAL 66 626 37
* Estimates based on approximate data held centrally.