§ 32. Mr. SwayneTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what research he has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the link between crime rates and the numbers of convicted offenders detained in prison. [44275]
§ Mr. MichaelResearch published by the Home Office in 1993 suggested that a 25 per cent. increase in the prison population is required to obtain a one per cent. drop in recorded crime in England and Wales. The Home Office Research and Statistics Directorate continually monitor and analyse information on crime rates and prison populations in different jurisdictions. They are currently examining the relationships between these in a range of countries and the results of this work will be sent to the Home Affairs Committee shortly to assist their inquiry into Alternatives to Custody.