HC Deb 09 July 1998 vol 315 cc603-4W
Mr. Sarwar

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the prison population in each of the last 10 years; what are his estimates for the prison population for the next five years; and if he will make a statement. [49344]

Mr. McLeish

The information requested is given in the table.

Mr. McLeish

The information requested is provided in the table. Projections are available for the years 1998–99—2000–01 only: beyond three years their accuracy is less reliable and the further ahead a series is projected, the greater the scope for departure from the projection.

The prison population reflects the crime rate, the extent to which crimes are cleared-up, the use of custodial remand by the courts and the independent sentencing decisions of the Scottish courts.

Year Average daily prison population
1988–89 5,168
1989–90 4,886
1990–91 4,738
1991–92 4,897
1992–93 5,395
1993–94 5,588
1994–95 5,630
1995–96 5,632
1996–97 5,992
1997–981 6,059
Projections
1998–1999 6,350
1999–2000 6,550
2000–2001 6,650
Provisional

Forward to