Written question asked by Simon Hughes (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 1 April 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 11 April 2003. It was answered by Hilary Benn (Labour) on Friday, 11 April 2003 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many (a) unconvicted and (b) convicted unsentenced prisoners are held in prisons in England and Wales; and how many have been held for (i) more than three months and (ii) more than six months.

Answer: Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) unconvicted and (b) convicted unsentenced prisoners are held in prisons in England and Wales; and how many have been held for (i) more than three months and (ii) more than six months. [107304] Hilary Benn: On 28 February 2003 there were 7,719 untried prisoners and 5,253 convicted unsentenced prisoners held in Prison Service establishments in England and Wales. On 30 June 2001 there were 6,800 untried prisoners; 1,200 had been received on remand more than three months up to and including six months previously; 650 had been received on remand more than six months previously. On 30 June 2001 there were 4,300 convicted unsentenced prisoners; 750 had been received on remand more than three months up to and including six months previously; 500 had been received on remand more than six months previously. The time spent on remand by convicted unsentenced prisoners includes any time spent on remand as an untried prisoner.

Secondary information