HC Deb 05 November 1987 vol 121 c825W
60. Mr. Harry Greenway

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the current prison population; by how much this has been reduced by his amnesty measures announced in July; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. John Patten

On 30 October 1987 47,815 persons were held in prison department establishments. The prison population was reduced by about 3,000 prisoners as a result of the increase on 13 August 1987 in remission to one half for prisoners sentenced to 12 months or less announced by the Home Secretary on 16 July at columns 1292–1305.