HC Deb 28 November 2002 vol 395 cc418-9W
Mr. Best

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on trends in the numbers of children being held in jails in England and Wales in the last 10 years. [82148]

Hilary Benn

The number of people aged under-18 held in Prison Service establishments in England and Wales for 1992 to 2002 is given in the table.

Number of people aged under-18 in Prison Service establishments at 30 June each year
Year Number
1992 1,328
1993 1,304
1994 1,526
1995 1,675
1996 2,093
1997 2,479
1998 2,466
1999 2,422
Number of people aged under-18 in Prison Service establishments at 30 June each year
Year Number
2000 2,434
2001 2,448
2002 2,609