§ Mrs. EwingTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the average prison population of each Scottish 281W prison in (a) 1978–79, (b) 1979–80, (c) 1986–87, (d) 1987–88, (e) 1996–97 and (f) 1997–98; and what percentages of inmates were incarcerated for (i) violent and (ii) non-violent offences. [43910]
§ Mr. McLeishFinancial year information on prison population in the Scottish Prison Service estate is available only from 1983–84. Moreover, statistical information by offence was not collected historically in relation to the average daily prison population; details of main offence were previously recorded only in the reception information. However, an investigation of recent data suggests that an estimated 40–50% of sentenced prisoners have a main crime which would be defined as a 'violent' offence. For the purposes of this response 'violent' offences include, for example, homicide, serious assault, possession of an offensive weapon, robbery, threats and petty assault.
The tables provide details of the available information.
Table 1: Average daily prison population, Scotland, 1986–87,1987–88,1996–97 and 1997–98 Year Number 1986–87 5,566 1987–88 5,421 1996–97 5,992 1997–98 16,059 1Provisional
Table 2: Average daily prison population,in Scotland,penal establishment, 1986–87,1987–88,1996–97 and 1997–98 by establishment Establishment 1986–87 1987–88 1996–97 11997–98 Aberdeen 183 178 180 201 Barlinnie (incl. Unit) 1,195 1,036 1,213 1,208 Castle Huntly 103 126 105 107 Cornton Vale 187 177 173 166 Dungavel 136 137 93 100 Dumfries 149 130 144 147 Edinburgh 772 638 725 728 Friarton2 64 72 71 60 Glenochil2 506 566 563 585 Greenock 192 166 250 242 Inverness 105 102 126 140 Longriggend 278 259 166 151 Low Moss 351 350 357 362 Noranside 73 89 127 118 Penninghame 70 69 58 60 Perth 575 482 452 472 Peterhead (incl. Unit) 178 141 202 221 Polmont 384 415 478 473 Shotts (incl. Unit) 65 286 466 471 Shotts (National Induction Centre) — — 43 46 Legalised police cells 2 1 1 1 Total1 5,566 5,421 5,992 6,059 1Figures for 1997–98 are provisional 2Young offenders serving detention centre sentences are included in the figures for 1986–87 and 1987–88. Such sentences were abolished in Scotland on 1 November 1988 3 Components may not add to totals due to rounding
§ Mrs. EwingTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many women were committed to the Scottish prison system in(a) 1978–79, (b) 1979–80, (c) 1986–87, (d) 1987–88, (e) 1996–97 and (f) 1997–98; and what percentages were incarcerated for (i) violent and (ii) non-violent offences. [43911]
282W
§ Mr. McLeishThe information provided in the table relates to female direct sentenced receptions to the Scottish prison system by category of main crime. For the purposes of this response 'violent' offences include, for example, homicide, serious assault, possession of an offensive weapon, robbery, threats and petty assault.
Direct sentenced female receptions to Scottish prison system, 1978–79,1979–80,1986–87,1987–88,1996–97 and 1997–98,by main crime category year Total number of direct sentenced female receptions Percentage violent Percentage non-violent 1978–79 350 15 85 1979–80 364 13 87 1986–87 522 8 92 1987–88 593 7 93 1996–97 603 17 83 1997–98 566 16 84