Written question asked by Simon Hughes (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 21 January 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 3 February 2003. It was answered by Hilary Benn (Labour) on Monday, 3 February 2003 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many women received a custodial sentence in each of the last five years; what the average length of sentence was in each year; and what proportion were imprisoned for offences of violence in each year. - Including table.

Answer: Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many women received a custodial sentence in each of the last five years; what the average length of sentence was in each year; and what proportion were imprisoned for offences of violence in each year. [93295] Hilary Benn: The information requested is contained in the table. Women sentenced to immediate custody, average custodial sentence length and proportion sentenced for violent offences1, England and Wales _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Sentenced to immediate custody Average custodial sentence Proportion sentenced for for all offences length (months) 2 violent offences1 Percentage 1997 5,506 9.8 12.9 1998 6,567 9.0 12.1 1999 7,504 8.9 11.2 2000 7,900 9.1 11.8 2001 8,061 10.4 12.2 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. 1 Offences of violence against the person, sexual offences and robbery 2 Excluding life Figures for 2002 are not yet available.

Secondary information