HL Deb 19 January 1989 vol 503 c449WA
Baroness Ewart-Biggs

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many and what proportion of prisoners are in dormitory accommodation.

Earl Ferrers

On 13th November, the most recent date for which information is available, about 8,700 prisoners were held in dormitory accommodation in prisons in England and Wales. This represents 17 per cent. of the total prison population of England and Wales.

Dormitory accommodation is defined for this purpose as any unit of accommodation which is designed for occupation by two or more inmates other than a double cell. A double cell is a secure unit of accommodation, with a sanitary annex, designed for two persons only.