Written question asked by Paul Flynn (Labour) on Friday, 3 September 2010, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 6 September 2010. It was answered by Lord Herbert of South Downs (Conservative) on Tuesday, 7 September 2010 on behalf of the Home Office.

Prison Population (Drugs Act)

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate she has made of the effect on the size of the prison population of the implementation of the provisions of the Drugs Act 2005.

Answer: [holding answer 6 September 2010]: Between 2005 and 2008 the number of immediate custodial sentences under the Drugs Act 2005 was 12, imposed on offenders who failed to comply with an initial or follow up assessment for specified Class A drug misuse. We have made no further estimate of the impact on the size of the prison population, other than the impact assessment that accompanied the Bill. The Government will shortly lay before Parliament a memorandum providing a post-legislative assessment of the Drugs Act 2005.

Secondary information