HC Deb 18 February 1997 vol 290 cc520-2W
Mr. George Howarth

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the average yearly prison population since 1987. [15982]

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 HM Prison Service dated 18 February 1997:

The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question asking what was the average yearly population since 1987.

The average prison population in Prison Service establishments in England and Wales for each year since 1987 was as follows:

  • 1987: 48,426
  • 1988: 48,872
  • 1989: 48,500
  • 1990: 44,975
  • 1991: 44,809
  • 1992: 44,719
  • 1993: 44,552
  • 1994: 48,621
  • 1995: 50,962
  • 1996: 55,281.

Mr. Howarth

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will list the prison population for each month since January 1995; [15981]

(2) how many (a) unconvicted remand prisoners and (b) convicted but unsentenced remand prisoners there were in each month since January 1995. [15983]

Miss Widdecombe

Responsibility for these matters 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 George Howarth, dated 18 February 1997:

The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Questions asking if he will list the prison population for each month since January 1995: and also, how many (a) unconvicted remand prisoners and (b) convicted but unsentenced remand prisoners there were in each months since January 1995.

The information requested is contained in the attached table.

Prison population in England and Wales1, each month since January 1995
Total Untried Convicted unsentenced
995
January 49,542 9,025 3,498
February 50,571 8,666 3,180
March 51,594 8,239 3,009
April 50,787 8,259 2,671
May 50,643 8,455 2,727
June 51,084 7,950 3,106
July 51,279 8,147 2,793
August 51,265 8,396 2,912
September 52,286 8,162 3,016
October 52,027 8,433 3,068
November 52,540 8,337 3,047
December 49,949 8,155 2,421
1996
January 51,947 8,345 3,196
February 53,178 8,223 3,228
Prison population in England and Wales1, each month since January 1995
Total Untried Convicted unsentenced
March 53.740 7,933 3,079
April 54,202 8,153 3,266
May 54,513 8,209 3,110
June 55,256 8,432 3,136
July 56,141 8,379 3,182
August 55,537 8,398 3,280
September 56,628 8,523 3,440
October 57,764 8,630 3,524
November 58,126 8,687 3,460
December 56,351 8,579 2,956
1Figures include those held in police cells. This ended in June 1995.