Written question asked by Ivan Lawrence (Conservative), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 18 February 1997. It was answered by Ann Widdecombe (Conservative) on Tuesday, 18 February 1997 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office;Prison Service

Question: What was the staff: inmate ratio for the Prison Service in 1970, 1975, 1980, 1985, 1990 and in each subsequent year. - Text of letter from Richard Tilt of the Prison Service. (Holding answer 17 February 1997).

Answer: Sir Ivan Lawrence: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the staff to inmate ratio for the Prison Service in 1970, 1975, 1980, 1985, 1990 and in each subsequent year. [15514] Miss Widdecombe: [holding answer 17 February 1997]: Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given. Letter from Richard Tilt to Sir Ivan Lawrence, dated 18 February 1997: The Home Secretary has asked me to reply to your recent Question about Prison Service staff: prisoner ratios. The ratios are as follows: _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Year Staff Prisoner 1970 1 2.47 1975 1 2.02 1980 1 2.30 1985 1 2.02 1990{1} 1 1.40 1991 1 1.40 1992 1 1.31 1993 1 1.17 1994 1 1.24 1995 1 1.26 1996 1 1.33 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. {1} The fall reflects the change in prison officer working practices and the reduction in their hours worked.

Secondary information