§ Mr. GerrardTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department since 1983(a) how many people have been given life sentences for murder and (b) of these how many remain in detention; and what are the reasons for the difference between the two figures. [101341]
§ Mr. BoatengIn the 16 years from 1983 to 1998, a total of 3,360 persons were received into Prison Service establishments in England and Wales under sentence for murder. Of these, 2,652 are currently still in custody. The remainder have died or been discharged and these are set out in the table.
Persons sentenced to life imprisonment for murder discharged from prison 1983–98 Type of discharge Number Release on licence 250 Successful appeal 146 Transfer to psychiatric hospital 144 Transfer to a non Prison Service establishment 50 Pardon/remission 3 Died 80 Deported/repatriated 21 Transfer to another establishment outside England and Wales 14 Total discharges 708