HL Deb 12 July 1999 vol 604 cc7-9WA
Lord Janner of Braunstone

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many adults were given custodial sentences by:

  1. (a) magistrates' courts; and
  2. (b) Crown Courts
in the last three years for which figures are available; and [HL3390]

How many young people were given custodial sentences by:

  1. (a) magistrates' courts; and
  2. (b) Crown Courts
in the last three years for which figures are available; and [HL3391]

What were the average lengths of custodial sentences for adults sentenced by:

  1. (a) magistrates' courts; and
  2. (b) Crown Courts
in the last three years for which figures are available; and [HL3392]

What were the average lengths of custodial sentences for young people sentenced by:

  1. (a) magistrates' courts; and
  2. (b) Crown Courts
in the last three years for which figures are available. [HL3393]

Lord Williams of Mostyn

The data for England and Wales and Northern Ireland are given in the table.

Number of young people and adults sentenced to custody and average sentence lengths for all offences by type of court, England and Wales and Northern Ireland, 1995–97
Magistrates' Courts The Crown Court
Country/year Number Average sentence length (months) Number Average sentence length (months)
YOUNG PEOPLE1
England and Wales2
1995 3,794 3.5 1,670 17.6
1996 4,102 3.5 2,395 20.6
1997 4,129 3.3 2,954 20.1
Northern Ireland3
1995 51 5.3 7 19.7
1996 43 5.6 2 18.0
1997 27 6.3 6 36.3
ADULTS1
England and Wales2
1995 34,939 3.0 39,135 20.6
1996 37,064 2.9 41,688 22.2
1997 42,388 2.8 44,370 22.7
Northern Ireland3
1995 1,473 4.9 568 47.8
1996 1,394 4.8 554 31.1
1997 1,384 4.7 573 33.9
1 For England and Wales young people are defined as 10–17 year olds and adults 18 or over, while for Northern Ireland they are defined as 10–16 year olds and 17 or over respectively.
2 Includes unsuspended imprisonment, detention in young offender institutions and under sec. 53 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933 as appropriate. Averages are based on non-life sentences.
3 Includes prison and YOC only as appropriate. Lifers, those held at the Secretary of State's pleasure, those with an unknown age and training school orders are excluded.

Lord Janner of Braunstone

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What were the total number of days spent in prison by adults given custodial sentences by:

  1. (a) magistrates' courts; and
  2. (b) Crown Courts
in the last three years for which figures are available; and [HL3394]

What were the total number of days spent in prison by young people given custodial sentences by:

  1. (a) magistrates' courts; and
  2. (b) Crown Courts
in the last three years for which figures are available. [HL3395]

Lord Williams of Mostyn

The available information is given in the table.

Estimated number of days in custody for adults and young persons in prisons in England and Wales for persons given custodial sentences by magistrates' and Crown Courts, 1996–98
Number of days Year
Court type 1996 1997 1998
Magistrates' courts
Adults 1,254,500 1,326,400 1,487,400
Young persons 481,400 500,100 495,300
Crown Courts
Adults 11,952,700 13,479,800 14,420,800
Young persons 1,905,300 2,371,000 2,603,200