HL Deb 28 November 1995 vol 567 cc31-2WA
Baroness David

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the average daily number of prisoners serving (a) sentences of under twelve months; (b) sentences of twelve months or more but under four years; and (c) sentences of four years or more respectively.

Baroness Blatch:

Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the temporary Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given.

Letter to Baroness David from the temporary Director General of the Prison Service, Mr. Richard Tilt, dated 28 November 1995:

Lady Blatch has asked me to reply to your recent Question asking what is the average daily number of prisoners serving (a) sentences of under twelve months; (b) sentences of twelve months or more but under four years; and (c) sentences of four years or more respectively.

The latest available information is for 30 September 1995 and is given in the attached table.

Population under sentence1 in Prison Service establishments in England and Wales on 30 September 1995 by length of sentence
Length of sentence Number
Less than 12 months 6,758
12 months to less than 4 years 15,130
4 years and over 17,241
Total 39,129
1Excluding fine defaulters.