Written question asked by David Crausby (Labour) on Monday, 6 December 1999, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 13 December 1999. It was answered by Lord Boateng (Labour) on Monday, 13 December 1999 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many children below the ages of (a) 15 and (b) 18 years are currently serving custodial sentences. - Inc figures and ref to 'Prison statistics England and Wales' (Table 3.2 of the 1998 edition, column 4430) and Department of Health statistical bulletin 'Children Accommodated in Secure Units'.

Answer: Mr. Crausby: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many children below the ages of (a) 15 and (b) 18 years are currently serving custodial sentences. [102037] Mr. Boateng: The latest available provisional information is for 31 October 1999 and shows that there were 1,770 sentenced persons aged 15-17 in Prison Service establishments in England and Wales on that date. In addition, a further 99 sentenced 12-14 year olds were held in Secure Training Centres with a further two persons being placed in local authority units in England and Wales. Information on the population of persons aged 15-17 years in Prison Service establishments in England and Wales is published in "Prison statistics England and Wales" (Table 3.2 of the 1998 edition, column 4430) a copy of which is in the Library. Information on the population of persons aged less than 15 years in local authority accommodation is published in a Department of Health statistical bulletin entitled "Children Accommodated in Secure Units". This information is presented on a financial year basis with the last report (Bulletin 1999-6) covering the year ending 31 March 1998.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 341 c4-5W; 102037
Session: 1999-00
Subjects: Children Custodial treatment Prison sentences Young people Young offenders
Contains statistics: Yes