§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the highest prison population recorded in 1985; and if he will detail the different types of prisoners.
§ Mr. MellorIn 1985, the highest figure recorded in the weekly summary returns of the population held in prison department establishments in England and Wales was 48,130 on 2 August. The composition of the population is reported at the end of each month and on 31 July, when the population was 48,100 it comprised 8,220 untried prisoners, 1,560 convicted unsentenced prisoners, 38,120 sentenced and 210 non-criminal prisoners.
§ Mr. Spellerasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give details of the prison population to the latest date available compared with that of five and 10 years, respectively.
§ Mr. MellorOn 17 January 1986, the total prison population was 45,153. Figures for comparable dates in 1975 and 1980 are not recorded. However, on 31 January 1976 the total prison population was 40,647 and on 31 215W January 1981 it was 40,047. The latter figure was affected by the national industrial action by prison officers which had only just been concluded.