§ Dr. Lynne JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners(a) were in category B prisons, (b) escaped from category B prisons and (c) absconded from category B prisons in each year between 1990 and 2000. [149916]
§ Mr. BoatengAvailable statistics show the category B prison population at the end of June for each year was:
Year Number 1995 5,274 1996 8,162 1997 9,016 1998 7,181 1999 7,396 2000 7,763 I am unable to provide figures for 1990–1994 in the time available.
Determining the number of prisoners who have either escaped or absconded from category B prisons over the 10 year period can be supplied only at disproportionate cost. However, I can advise the House that there has not been an escape from a category B establishment since September 1999.