HC Deb 29 April 1996 vol 276 cc401-2W
Mr. Alex Carlile

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the prison population on the last day of each of the last 24 months; and if he will make a statement. [26662]

Miss Widdecombe

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 from Richard Tilt to Mr. Alex Carlile, dated 29 April 1996: The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question asking what was the prison population on the last day of each of the last 24 months; and if he will make a statement. The information requested is given in the attached table.

Prison population1 in England and Wales on the last day of the month, April 1994—March 1996
On last day of month Number
1994
April 47,943
May 48,675
June 48,929
July 49,169
August 49,392
September 49,812
October 49,851
November 50,565
December 47,611
1995
January 49,542
February 50,571
March 51,594
April 50,787
May 50,643
June 51,084
July 51,279
Prison population1 in England and Wales on the last day of the month, April 1994—March 1996
On last day of month Number
August 51,265
September 51,286
October 52,027
November 52,540
December 49,494
1996
January 51,947
February 53,178
March 53,740
1 Includes those held in police cells.