Written question asked by Baroness Michie of Gallanach (Liberal Democrat), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 3 March 1997. It was answered by Lord Selkirk of Douglas (Conservative) on Monday, 3 March 1997 on behalf of the Scottish Office.

Scottish Office;Scottish Prison Service

Question: What percentage of Scottish prisoners are currently serving sentences of less than six months; and what percentage of those are female. - Includes text of letter from EW Frizzell of Scottish Prison Service.

Answer: Mrs. Ray Michie: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what percentage of Scottish prisoners are currently serving sentences of less than six months; and what percentage of those are female. [17691] Lord James Douglas-Hamilton: The subject of this question relates to matters undertaken by the Scottish Prison Service. I have asked its chief executive, Mr. E. W. Frizzell, to arrange for a reply to be given. Letter from E. W. Frizzell to Mrs. Ray Michie, dated 3 March 1997: Lord James Douglas-Hamilton has asked me to reply to your Question about the percentage of Scottish prisoners who are currently serving sentences of less than six months; and the percentage of those that are female. As at 26 February 1997 13 per cent. (815) of the Scottish prison population were serving sentences of less than six months, 6 per cent. of which (49) were female.

Secondary information