HC Deb 18 November 1992 vol 214 cc200-1W
Mr. Bermingham

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the female remand and sentenced population in England and Wales for the latest date available; and what is his best estimate of the number of these prisoners who have dependent children.

Mr. Jack

On 30 September 1992, the latest date for which information is readily available, 383 untried or convicted unsentenced and 1,244 sentenced females were held in prison service establishments or police cells in England and Wales. Our best estimate is that 47 per cent. of the females interviewed1 said they had children or step-children under the age of 18 living with them at the time they came into prison.

1 National prison survey. Information collected in January and February 1991.