HC Deb 22 October 1993 vol 230 cc389-91W
Ms Ruddock

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the average cost per month of holding someone in prison in(a) 1990–91, (b) 1991–92, (c) 1992–93 and (d) currently; and what was the total cost for each year available.

to inform you that the corresponding information about receptions of sentenced prisoners is not yet available, and that none of the information for 1993 is yet available.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

[holding answer 18 October 1993]: Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the director general of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

Letter to Ms Joan Ruddock, from Derek Lewis, dated 22 October 1993: The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the costs of holding someone in prison. The costs are shown below at 1993x2013;94 prices.

Year Total net operating cost of prison establishments £ million Net operating cost per inmate per month £
1990–91 1,009.6 1,897
1991–92 1,110.6 2,037
1992–931 1,166.8 2,213
1993–942 1,138.7 2,063
1 Provisional.
2 Forecast.

The reduction in costs between 1992–93 and 1993–94 is largely due to lower superannuation contributions.