HC Deb 18 July 1990 vol 176 cc580-1W
Mr. McNamara

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the size of the prison population in Northern Ireland at the end of 1989, divided into terrorist-type offenders and other offenders categorised by sex in the groups: under 18 years old, 18 to 25 years, 25 to 30 years, 30 to 40 years, 40 to 50 years, 50 to 60 years and over 60 years; and if he will give a breakdown of the length of sentence being served by each age group under the headings (i) up to three months, (ii) over three months and up to six months, (iii) over six months and under 12 months, (iv) over 12 months and under 18 months, (v) over 18 months and up to four years, (vi) over four years and up to eight years, (vii) over eight years, and (viii) life.

Mr. Cope

[holding answer 4 July 1990]: The size of the prison population at 28 December 1989 was 1,371, including 16 female prisoners.

The statistical tables detail the breakdown by sex and age. Statistical information is given for scheduled and non-scheduled offences, information on terrorist-type offenders is not readily available and could be obtained only at a disproportionate cost.

Ages
Sentence group Less than 18 years 18 to under 25 years 25 to under 30 years 30 to under 40 years 40 to under 50 years 50 to under 60 years 60 years plus Total
4 to 8 years
Scheduled 0 64 56 46 8 1 1 176
Non-scheduled 0 11 12 20 10 2 2 57
Over 8 years
Scheduled 0 51 85 91 16 4 0 247
Non-scheduled 2 5 7 11 8 3 1 37
Life
Scheduled 0 24 46 252 68 12 3 405
Non-scheduled 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1
Total 16 378 292 498 142 29 10 1,365

Sentenced female prison population, 28 December 1989
Ages
18-Under 25 25-Under 30 30-Under 40 40-Under 50 50-Under 60 Total
Sentence Group
Up to 3 months
Non-Scheduled 0 0 1 0 0 1
3–6 Months
Scheduled 0 2 0 0 0 2
6–12 Months
Non-Scheduled 0 1 1 0 1 3
18 Months–4 Years
Scheduled 1 0 0 0 0 1
4–8 Years
Scheduled 1 0 0 0 0 1
Over 8 Years
Scheduled 0 1 1 0 0 2
Life
Scheduled 1 2 1 2 0 6
Total 3 6 4 2 1 16

Notes:

1. Age refers to age of prisoner on 28 December 1989.

2. Includes YOC prisoners.

3. Life includes those detained at pleasure of the Secretary of State.

4. Includes fine defaulters and civil prisoners.

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