HL Deb 08 May 1990 vol 518 cc1359-60WA
Lord Harris of Greenwich

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What was the ratio of prison officers to inmates, in male and female prisons respectively on January 1st 1990 and what were the comparable figures for January 1st 1950, 1960, 1970 and 1980.

Earl Ferrers

The readily available information is given in the table.

Year Officers in post on January 1st Daily average no. of inmates in custody during previous year Officer: inmate ratio
Establishments with male inmates 1950 2,950 18,783 1: 6.37
1960 5,180 25,727 1: 4.97
1970 9,230 33,814 1: 3.66
1980 13,491 40,762 1: 3.02
1990 19,337 46,736 1: 2.42
Establishments with female inmates 1950 160 1,096 1: 6.85
1960 285 896 1: 3.14
1970 226 853 1: 3.77
1980 483 1,458 1: 3.02
1990 936 1,764 1: 1.88