§ Mr. NellistTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the average weekly cost to public funds of keeping someone in prison; whether there are major divergences for particular types of prisons; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. RumboldThe average weekly operating cost per inmate during 1989–90 was £321. The average cost varied from £218—adult open prisons—to £554—dispersal prisons. Full details of these costs are contained in the 1989–90 report on the work of the prison service, a copy of which is in the Library.