Written question asked by Crispin Blunt (Conservative) on Thursday, 8 November 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 19 November 2001. It was answered by Baroness Hughes of Stretford (Labour) on Monday, 19 November 2001 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate he has made of the prospects for the rate of change in the number of women prisoners since 1st May 1997 to be sustained; what assessment he has made of the reasons for the change; and if he will make a statement. - Including ref to Prison Population Brief, England and Wales.

Answer: Mr. Blunt: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the prospects for the rate of change in the number of women prisoners since 1 May 1997 to be sustained; what assessment he has made of the reasons for the change; and if he will make a statement. [14302] Beverley Hughes: The female prison population has increased by 52 per cent. between 30 April 1997 and 30 September 2001. The main reason for the growth in this period is the rise in the custody rates at the courts. Around half the increase is accounted for by women imprisoned for drug offences; mainly unlawful importation of drugs, supplying class A drugs and possession with intent to supply class A drugs. During 2001, a rise in remands has also been a contributory factor. Projections of long term trends in the prison population to 2008 were published on 23 May 2001 (Home Office Statistical Bulletin 8/01). The central scenario assumed that the custody rates for females would increase at a rate of 4.5 per cent. per year until 2008. Both short and long-term prison population projections are currently under review, and a revised projection will be incorporated in the "Prison Population Brief, England and Wales" shortly. This is available on the Home Office website.

Secondary information