HC Deb 06 November 1989 vol 159 cc428-9W
Mr. Mallon

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will give(a) the optimum operational capacity of each prison in Northern Ireland and (b) the actual numbers of prisoners currently housed in each prison in Northern Ireland.

Mr. Cope

The optimum operational capacity of each prison in Northern Ireland together with the actual numbers of prisoners currently housed is:

Population as at 08.30 hours 3 November 1989
Accommodation Number
Her Majesty 's prison Belfast
1433 533
Her Majesty 's prison Maghaberry
1486 2297
Her Majesty's prison Magilligan
1300 266
Her Majesty's prison Maze
1750 517
1 Single cell accommodation.
2 Including 23 female prisoners.

These figures include prisoners on home leave and in outside hospitals.

In addition, the young offenders centre, Hydebank, has single cell accommodation for 300 and has a current population of 158.

Mr. Mallon

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the total prison population in Northern Ireland in each of the years since 1980.

Mr. Cope

The average prison population in each of the years since 1980 was:

Numbers
11980 2,489
11981 2,521
11982 2,481
11983 2,453
11984 2,248
11985 2,943
21986–87 1,907
21987–88 1,947
21988–89 1,860
1 Calendar year.
2 Financial year.