HL Deb 10 July 1990 vol 521 c255WA
Lord Bonham-Carter

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many prisoners were sharing cells (a) two to a cell and (b) three to a cell on the most recent convenient date compared with 12 months previously.

Earl Ferrers

On 12th March 1989, 12,618 prisoners were held two to a cell and 4,959 three to a cell designed for one. On 11th March 1990, the latest date for which information is available, these figures had reduced to 11,988 and 3,489 respectively. The further improvement in these figures for which we have been working has suffered a temporary setback because of the loss of prison places in the disturbances in April.