HL Deb 12 May 1986 vol 474 c1028WA
Lord Harris of Greenwich

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What was the total number of inmates held in prison on 1st January 1945, 1956, 1966, 1967 and 1986 respectively; the number of prison officers on each of these dates; and the ratio of officers to inmates.

Lord Glenarthur

The information is not available in the form requested: the information recorded for each of the years 1946, 1956, 1966, 1976, 1986 is as follows:

Col. 1 Col. 2 Col. 3 Col. 4 Col. 5
Year Total numbers in prison officer class Total numbers of prison officer class in direct contact with inmates Daily average population in preceeding year Ratio Col. 4 Col. 3
1.1.46 Not available 1,744 14,021 M. 1:8.02
F. 1:8.33
1.1.56 Not available 4,491 21,010 M. 1:4.72
F. 1:4.01
1.1.66 7,509 7,293 30,421 M. 1:4.22
F. 1:3.01
1.1.76 14,867 14,058 39,820 M. 1:2.85
F. 1:2.42
1.1.86 18,656 17,900 46,234 M. 1:2.63
F. 1:1.68