prison stats-2011

Prison statisticsEngland and Wales2002

Cm 5996

Priso

n statistics Eng

landand

Wales 2002

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25934 TSO Prison Cover 5/11/03 2:48 pm

HOME OFFICE

Prison statistics

England and Wales

2002

Presented to Parliament

by the Secretary of State for the Home Department

by Command of Her Majesty

November 2003

Cm 5996 £25.75

ii

PREVIOUS REPORTS

2001—Cm. 5743

2000—Cm. 5250

1999—Cm. 4805

1998—Cm. 4430

1997—Cm. 4017

1996—Cm. 3732

1995—Cm. 3355

1994—Cm. 3087

1993—Cm. 2893

1992—Cm. 2581

1991—Cm. 2157

1990—Cm. 1800

1989—Cm. 1221

1988—Cm. 825

© Crown Copyright 2003

The text in this document (excluding the Royal Arms and departmental logos) may bereproduced free of charge in any format or medium providing that it is reproducedaccurately and not used in a misleading context. The material must be acknowledged asCrown copyright and the title of the document specified.

Any enquiries relating to the copyright in this document should be addressed toThe Licensing Division, HMSO, St Clements House, 2-16 Colegate, Norwich NR3 1BQ.Fax: 01603 723000 or e-mail: [email protected]

iii


CONTENTS

PageList of tables � � � � � � � � � � � � � � iv

Location of contents � � � � � � � � � � � � � viii

Introduction � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 1

Chapter 1 The prison population in 2002 � � � � � � � � � 3

Chapter 2 Remand prisoners � � � � � � � � � � � 41

Chapter 3 Young people � � � � � � � � � � � � 53

Chapter 4 Adult prisoners under sentence � � � � � � � � � 79

Chapter 5 Life sentence prisoners � � � � � � � � � � 103

Chapter 6 Ethnic group and nationality � � � � � � � � � 114

Chapter 7 Religion � � � � � � � � � � � � � 127

Chapter 8 Offences and punishments � � � � � � � � � � 139

Chapter 9 Reconvictions of prisoners discharged from prison in 1999 � � � � 150

Chapter 10 Parole and home detention curfew � � � � � � � � 174

Chapter 11 Prison regimes, conditions and costs � � � � � � � � 189

Chapter 12 Home Office research on prison related topics � � � � � � 207

Chapter 13 Directory of related Internet Sites � � � � � � � � 214

Appendix 1 � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 219

Appendix 2 � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 226

Glossary � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 229

iv

LIST OF TABLES (tables cover 1992-2002 unless otherwise shown)Page

Chapter 1 The prison population in 2002 31.1 Receptions and average population in custody: by sex and custody type 2002 � 131.1a Initial receptions during 2002 by sex and type of custody � � � � 131.2 Population in custody: by sex and custody type, monthly figures 2001-02 � 141.2a The prison population 1900-2002, by year and sex of prisoner � � � 161.3 Average population in custody: by prisoner type, establishment and sex 2002 � 171.4 Average population in custody: by type of custody and sex � � � � 191.4a Population in custody at 30 June by type of custody and sex � � � � 201.5 Sentenced population: by offence, establishment type and sex 2002 � � 211.6 Sentenced population: by offence and sentence length 2002 � � � 231.7 Sentenced population: by offence group and sex � � � � � 261.7a Sentenced population on 30 June 2001 and 30 June 2002 by offence � � 271.7b Sentenced population on 30 June: by principal drugs offence, 1992-2002 � 271.8 Sentenced population: by sentence length and sex � � � � � 281.9 Sentenced population by age and sex � � � � � � � 291.10 Prison receptions: by custody type and sex � � � � � � 301.11 Prison receptions and population by court sentencing � � � � � 311.12 Prison receptions under sentence by prisoner type and sentence length � � 321.13 Fine defaulters: population, receptions, average time in prison by sex � � 331.14 Fine defaulters: receptions by age, offence group and sex � � � � 341.15 Non-criminal prisoners: population by sex and type of committal � � � 361.16 Non-criminal prisoners: receptions by sex and type of committal � � � 371.17 Average population in custody and CNA: by establishment type � � � 381.18 Prison population by Prison Service establishment 2002 � � � � 391.19 International prison population comparisons 2000-2002 � � � � 40

Chapter 2 Remand Prisoners2.1 Average remand population: by committal type, age and sex � � � 452.2 Average remand population, receptions and average time in custody � � 472.3 Untried population: by length of time since first reception � � � � 482.4 Convicted unsentenced population: by length of time since first reception � 482.5 Remand population: by length of time since first reception 1999-2002 � � 492.6 Final court outcome for those remanded in 2000-2002; by sex � � � 492.7 Sentenced receptions previously remanded: by sex, offence and length of

sentence 2002 � � � � � � � � � � � 502.8 Remand population: by offence and sex 2001-2002 � � � � � 512.9 Remand receptions: by offence and sex 2001-2002 � � � � � 52

Chapter 3 Young offenders under sentence3.1 Young offenders sentenced population: by custody type, sex, offence and

length of sentence 2002 � � � � � � � � � � 603.1a Juveniles sentenced population by custody type, sex, offence and length of

sentence 2002 � � � � � � � � � � � 613.1b 18-20 year olds sentenced population by custody type, sex, offence and length

of sentence 2002 � � � � � � � � � � � 623.2 Population: by sex, age and custody type 2002 � � � � � � 633.3 Under 18 population by sex, offence and custody type 2002 � � � � 643.4 Under 18 population by custody type and sex 1995-2002 � � � � 653.5 Sentenced population: by sex and offence � � � � � � � 663.6 Sentenced male population by previous convictions 1993-2001 � � � 673.7 Sentenced population by sex, custody type and length of sentence � � 683.8 Sentenced receptions: by age, sex and offence 2002 � � � � � 693.9 Sentenced receptions: by age, sex, offence, custody type and length of sentence 703.10 Prison receptions: by age, sex and custody type 2002 � � � � � 713.11 Sentenced receptions: by age, sex and offence � � � � � � 723.12 Sentenced receptions: by age, sex, custody type and length of sentence � � 743.13 Average time served by discharged prisoners: by sex and length of sentence

2002 � � � � � � � � � � � � � 76

v

Page3.14 Average time served by discharged prisoners: by sex and length of sentence,

1993-2002 � � � � � � � � � � � � 773.15 Average sentence length of receptions: by sex, age and court � � � 78

Chapter 4 Adult prisoners under sentence4.1 Sentenced population: by offence and length of sentence 2002 � � � 874.2 Sentenced population: by number of previous convictions 1993-2001 � � 884.3 Sentenced population: by offence � � � � � � � � 894.4 Sentenced population: by length of sentence � � � � � � 914.5 Sentenced receptions: by age and offence 2002 � � � � � � 934.6 Sentenced receptions: by age, offence and length of sentence 2002 � � 964.7 Sentenced receptions: by offence � � � � � � � � 974.8 Sentenced receptions: by length of sentence � � � � � � 984.9 Sentenced receptions: by age � � � � � � � � � 1004.10 Average sentence length of receptions: by court and reception date � � 1014.11 Average time served by discharged prisoners: by sex and length of sentence

2002 � � � � � � � � � � � � � 102

Chapter 5 Life sentence prisoners5.1 Population and receptions by type of prisoner and sex � � � � 1085.2 Population and receptions by type of life sentence and sex � � � � 1085.3 Population: by age and principal offence 2002 � � � � � � 1095.4 Population and receptions by type of life sentence and age 2002 � � � 1105.5 Population and receptions by type of life sentence and ethnic group 2002 � 1115.6 Population of life prisoners by interval since date of initial reception 2002 � 1115.7 Receptions: by year of reception, type of release and sentenced time spent

1965-91 � � � � � � � � � � � � 1125.8 Number of first releases on life licence and average time served � � � 1135.9 Number of recalls from life licence and time spent on life licence 1999-2002 � 113

Chapter 6 Ethnic group and nationality6.1 Population: by sex and ethnic group � � � � � � � 1216.2 Population on 30 June 2002 by nationality and sex � � � � � 1226.3 Population: by ethnic group, type of prisoner, sex and nationality 2002 � � 1236.4 Sentenced population: by ethnic group, nationality, offence and sex 2002 � 1246.5 Population: by ethnic group, sex, type of prisoner and length of sentence 2002 126

Chapter 7 Religion7.1 Population by religion 1993-2002 � � � � � � � � 1327.2 Population by religion June 2001, June 2002 � � � � � � 1337.3 Population by ethnic group and religion 2002 � � � � � � 1347.4 Population by religion, gender and ethnicity 2002 � � � � � 1357.5 Population by age, religion and sex 2002 � � � � � � � 1367.6 Population by custody type, religion and sex 2002 � � � � � 1377.7 Population under sentence by sentence length, religion and sex 2002 � � 138

Chapter 8 Offences and punishments8.1 Offences punished per 100 population: by sex and prison type � � � 1438.2 Offences punished per 100 population: by sex, prison type and offence 2002 � 1448.3 Offences punished per 100 population: by offence � � � � � 1458.4 Punishments per 100 population: by sex, prison type and type of punishment,

2002 � � � � � � � � � � � � � 1468.5 Offences punished and punishments given 2002 � � � � � � 1478.6 Punishments per 100 population given by ethnicity and offence 2002 � � 148

vi

PageChapter 9 Reconvictions of prisoners discharged from prison in 19999.1 Prisoners reconvicted by year of discharge and sex, within two years of

discharge 1987-99 � � � � � � � � � � � 1609.2 Reconviction rates, by time between discharge from prison and first

reconviction, number of reconvictions and type of offender within two years ofdischarge from prison during 1999, within three and four years for thosedischarged in 1988 and five, six and seven years for those discharged in 1987 � 161

9.3 Prisoners reconvicted, by length of sentence and sentence for the principaloffence on first reconviction, within two years of discharge from prison during1999 � � � � � � � � � � � � � 162

9.4 Young males reconvicted, by length of sentence and sentence for the principaloffence on first reconviction, within two years of discharge during 1999 � � 164

9.5 Adult prisoners by type of custody, percentage reconvicted and recommitted toprison within two years of discharge 1987-99 � � � � � � 165

9.6 Young males, percentage reconvicted and recommitted to prison within twoyears of discharge 1987-99 � � � � � � � � � 167

9.7 Prisoners reconvicted, by sentence for the principal offence on firstreconviction, within two years of discharge from prison 1987-99 � � � 168

9.8 Prisoners reconvicted, by offence for which originally convicted and offence onfirst reconviction, within two years of discharge during 1999� � � � 170

9.9 Prisoners reconvicted, by ethnic group, nationality and offence, within twoyears of discharge from prison during 1999 � � � � � � 172

9.10 Prisoners reconvicted and those recommitted to custody within 2 years ofrelease from prison in 1999 by age, gender and number of previous convictions 173

Chapter 10 Parole and Home Detention Curfew10.1 Cases considered by the Parole Board 1998/99-2002/03 � � � � 18210.2 DCR cases considered and released 2002/03 � � � � � � 18210.3 DCR cases released on parole by length of licence 2002/03 � � � � 18310.4 Average lengths of licence by sentence length 1992-2002/03 � � � � 18310.5 DCR cases considered and released on parole by ethnic group 2002/03 � � 18410.6 Prisoners on parole from determinate sentences recalled 1992-2002/03 � � 18410.7 Home Detention Curfew eligibility and release figures by sex and ethnic group

2002 � � � � � � � � � � � � � 18510.8 Home Detention Curfew eligibility and release figures by offence and ethnic

group 2002 � � � � � � � � � � � � 18610.9 Home Detention Curfew eligibility and release figures by sentence length 2002 18710.10 Home Detention Curfew eligibility and release figures by age group 2002 � 18710.11 Home Detention Curfew eligibility and release figures by establishment type

2002 � � � � � � � � � � � � � 18710.12 Home Detention Curfew eligibility and release figures by offence type 2002 � 18810.13 HDC Reasons for recall to prison 2002 � � � � � � � 18810.14 Summary of Home Detention Curfew eligibility and release figures by gender

1999-2002 � � � � � � � � � � � � 188

Chapter 11 Prison regimes, conditions and costs11(a) Key performance indicators 2002/03� � � � � � � � 19511.1 Purposeful activity and time out of cell, by establishment type, 2001 and 2002� 19611.1(a) Purposeful activity 1992/93-2002/03 � � � � � � � � 19611.2 Offending behaviour programme completions, by type of programme,

financial years 1993/94-2002/03 � � � � � � � � 19611.3 Offending behaviour programme completions, by establishment type, financial

year 2002/03 � � � � � � � � � � � � 19711.4 Results of the basic skills assessment screening tests, financial year 2002/03 � 19811.5 Average hours of education: by establishment type 2000/01-2002/03 � � 19811.6 Education hours delivered 1996-2002/03 � � � � � � � 19911.7 Releases on temporary licence: by establishment type 1994 -2002 � � � 19911.8 Releases on temporary licence: by type of licence, 1994-2002 � � � 200

vii

Page11.9 Temporary release failures, 1993-2002 � � � � � � � 20011.10 Overcrowding: by establishment type 2002 � � � � � � 20111.11 Mandatory Drug Testing: percentage testing positive by drug group April

2001-March 2002 � � � � � � � � � � � 20111.12 Mandatory Drug Testing: percentage testing positive by drug group April

2002-March 2003 � � � � � � � � � � � 20211.13 Mandatory Drug Testing, by establishment type, financial year 2002/03 � � 20211.14 Escapes: by establishment type 1996-2002 � � � � � � � 20211.15 Escapes: from escort 1996 to 2002 � � � � � � � � 20311.16 Absconds: by type of establishment 1993-2002 � � � � � � 20311.17 Persons restrained by type of establishment, sex and means of restraint 2002 � 20411.18 Persons restrained: by means of restraint and sex � � � � � 20511.19 Self-inflicted deaths: by type of establishment, 1992-2002 � � � � 20611.20 Self-inflicted deaths: by gender 1992-2002 � � � � � � � 206

viii

PRISON STATISTICS ENGLAND AND WALES 2002

LOCATION OF CONTENTS

Subject Table numberPopulationAdult Female 1.1, 1.3, 1.4, 1.9, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 5.1, 5.3, 5.4Adult Male 1.1, 1.3, 1.4, 1.9, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 5.1, 5.3, 5.4Age 1.9, 2.1, 3.2, 3.4,Average Population 1.1, 1.2, 1.2a, 1.3, 1.4, 2.1, 2.2Average Time in Custody 2.2By individual prison 1.18Certified Normal Accommodation 1.17Conditions 11.10, 11.11, 11.12, 11.13, 11.14, 11.15, 11.16, 11.17, 11.18,

11.19, 11.20Court 1.11, 2.1, 2.6Custody Type 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.7Establishment Type 1.3, 1.5Ethnic Group 5.5, 6.1, 6.3, 6.4, 6.5, 7.3, 7.4Fine Defaulters 1.1, 1.13Home Detention Curfew 10.6, 10.7, 10.8, 10.9, 10.10, 10.11, 10.12International Comparisons 1.19Juveniles 3.2, 3.3, 3.4Life Sentence Prisoners 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5, 5.6, 5.8Nationality 6.2, 6.3, 6.4Non-Criminal 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.15Offence 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.7a, 1.7b, 2.8, 3.1,3.3, 3.5, 4.1, 4.3, 5.3, 6.4Parole Board (cases considered) 10.1, 10.2, 10.5,Police Cells 1.3, 1.4Previous Conviction 3.6, 4.2Reconvictions 9.1, 9.2, 9.3, 9.4, 9.5, 9.6, 9.7, 9.8, 9.9, 9.10Regimes 11.1, 11.2, 11.3, 11.4, 11.5, 11.6, 11.7, 11.8, 11.9Remand 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.8Restraints 11.17, 11.18Sentence Length 1.2, 1.3, 1.6, 1.8, 3.1, 3.7, 4.1, 4.4, 6.5, 7.7Time Served 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 3.13, 3.14, 5.6, 5.7, 5.8 Young Offenders 1.3, 1.4, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 5.1, 5.3, 6.5

ReceptionsAdult Female 1.1, 1.10, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7, 4.8, 4.9, 4.10, 4.11, 5.1, 5.3Adult Male 1.1, 1.10, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7, 4.8, 4.9, 4.10, 4.11, 5.1, 5.3Age 3.8, 3.9, 3.10, 3.11, 3.15, 4.5, 4.6, 4.9Average Sentence Length 3.15Court 1.11, 3.15Custody Type 1.1, 1.1a, 1.10, 3.10, 3.12Fine Defaulters 1.1, 1.1a, 1.14Juveniles 3.8, 3.9, 3.10, 3.11Life Sentence Prisoners 5.1, 5.2, 5.4, 5.5, 5.7 Non-Criminal 1.1, 1.1a, 1.10, 1.16Offence 1.14, 2.7, 2.9, 3.8, 3.9, 3.11, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7Offences and Punishments 8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 8.4, 8.5, 8.6Recall to prison 10.12Release 5.7Remand 1.1, 1.1a, 2.2, 2.7, 2.9Sentence Length 1.12, 2.7, 3.9, 3.12, 4.6, 4.8Young Offenders 3.8, 3.9, 3.10, 3.11, 3.12, 3.15

ix

Subject Table numberDischargesAdult Female 4.11Adult Male 4.11Home Detention Curfew 10.6, 10.7, 10.8, 10.9, 10.10, 10.11Life Sentence Prisoners 5.7, 5.8Time Served 3.13, 3.14, 4.11, 5.8Young Offenders 3.13, 3.14

1

INTRODUCTION

This publication has been prepared by the Criminal Justice System Analysis Team of the Home OfficeResearch Development and Statistics (RDS) Directorate. This team under Pat Dowdeswell deals withstatistics relating to the criminal justice process (from arrests, through to courts, to probation and prison),projections of correctional services workloads, research on the criminal justice process including treatmentof victims/witnesses and public confidence.

As in previous years, this volume comprises commentary and tables covering trends in the prisonpopulation, the remand population, adults and young people, life sentence prisoners, ethnic groups andnationality, religion, offences and punishments, reconvictions of prisoners discharged, parole and homedetention curfew, and prison regime and costs.

Other publicationsStatistics on the monthly prison population are published in the Prison Population Brief, which is placed onthe RDS website. A list of Home Office research on prison related topics is listed in Chapter 12.

Coverage of the statistics in this volumeAlthough care is taken in processing and analysing the returns, the detail collected is subject to theinaccuracies inherent in any large-scale recording system. Therefore, although some figures in this volumeare shown to the last digit, the figures are not necessarily accurate to the last digit shown. Where thestatistics shown are rounded, the components may not add exactly to the rounded total because they havebeen rounded independently. Further information on data sources and recording practice is given inAppendix 2.

References to the population in custody cover prisoners held in Prison Service establishments and policecells, whereas references to the prison population cover those held in Prison Service establishments.

EnquiriesIf you have any enquiries about prison population statistics you should contact Ramona Hoyte. The addressis:

Room 816Offending and Criminal Justice GroupResearch, Development and Statistics DirectorateHome OfficeAbell HouseJohn Islip StreetLondon SW1P 4LHTelephone 020 7217 5078

or by internet email via: [email protected]

Press enquiries should be made to:

Prison Service Press OfficeRoom 14350 Queen Anne’s GateLondonSW1H 9ATTelephone 020 7273 4545

2

AcknowledgementsAcknowledgement is made of the contributions from Gordon Barclay, Karl Chads, Ian Cross, PatDowdeswell, Michelle Goodman, Farid Guessous, Veronica Hollis, Mark Judd, Peter Kilsby, Mike Lock,Shilpa Patel, Michael Poole, Keith Spicer, Cynthia Tavares, Isobel Walsh and Steve White. We are alsograteful for the contributions made by and the support of the Prison Service, and other Home Officecolleagues.

Rachel CouncellEditorHead of Section, Prison Population and Probation Statistics.

Research Development and Statistics Directorate Mission StatementRDS is part of the Home Office. The Home Office’s purpose is to build a safe, just and tolerant society inwhich the rights and responsibilities of individuals, families and communities are properly balanced and theprotection and security of the public are maintained.

RDS is also part of National Statistics (NS). One of the aims is to inform Parliament and the citizen aboutthe state of the nation and provide a window on the work and performance of government, allowing theimpact of government policies and actions to be assessed.

Research Development and Statistics Directorate exists to improve policy making, decision taking andpractice in support of the Home Office purpose and aims, to provide the public and Parliament withinformation necessary for informed debate and to publish information for future use.

3

CHAPTER 1

THE PRISON POPULATION IN 2002

Key points

● The average population in custody during 2002 was 70,860, an increase of 7 per cent on 2001. It is anincrease of 16 per cent compared to 1997, and a 55 per cent increase compared to 1992. The averagepopulation in custody during 2002 was greater than in any previous year.

● The population in custody increased in 2002, apart from the usual seasonal falls, through to the endof October 2002 when it stood at 72,990.

● Prisoners were held in police cells under Operation Safeguard between July and mid December 2002— a month-end average of 199 prisoners for those 5 months, and an average of 83 for 2002 as a whole.

● The average remand population in custody in 2002 was 14 per cent higher than the average in 2001;12,790 compared with 11,240 in 2001, and around 200 higher than the average levels observed in 1998and 1999. The sentenced population increased by 6 per cent between 2001 and 2002 from an averageof 54,050 to an average of 57,220.

● Between 2001 and 2002, the number of female prisoners in custody increased by 15 per cent from anaverage of 3,740 to an average of 4,300, while the male population in custody increased by less (6 percent).

● Between June 2001 and June 2002 there were above average increases in the population of sentencedmales in prison for robbery (up 10 per cent) and drugs offences (up 9 per cent). There werereductions in the male sentenced population for motoring offences (down 5 per cent) and fraud andforgery (down 2 per cent).

● Similarly there were above average increases in the female sentenced population in prison forburglary (up 49 per cent), robbery (up 24 per cent), and offences of violence against the person (up 21per cent). There were reductions in the female sentenced population for fraud and forgery (down6 per cent). The increase in drugs offences of 17 per cent was similar to the overall increase in thefemale sentenced population (15 per cent) between June 2001 and 2002. Forty-five per cent of theincrease in the female sentenced prison population between 2001 and 2002 was accounted for by anincrease in drugs offences.

● Between 1992 and 2002, the longer sentenced prison population (4 years or more including life)increased as a proportion of all sentenced prisoners from 42 per cent in 1992 to 48 per cent in 2002,whilst the proportion of sentenced prisoners serving sentences of less than 12 months has decreasedslightly.

● The numbers of people received into prison under an immediate custodial sentence increased by3 per cent between 2001 and 2002; this was mainly concentrated amongst offenders receivingsentences of 4 years or more, who increased in number by 14 per cent.

● In England and Wales there were 137 people in custody for every 100,000 members of the generalpopulation in 2002. This is the highest among western European countries, followed by Portugal (132per 100,000 population) and Scotland (126). The USA (702) and Russia (602) had the highest ratesamongst those reported.

4

The population in custody (Tables 1.1-1.8)

1.1 The average population in custody during 2002 was 70,860, higher than in any previous year. This wasan increase of 7 per cent on the average for 2001, an increase of 16 per cent on the average for 1997and an increase of 55 per cent compared to 1992. The population increased steadily throughout 2002and peaked in October, at 72,990, which exceeded the peak seen in 2001 (68,450).

Figure 1.1

AVERAGE POPULATION IN CUSTODY

-

75,00070,00065,00060,00055,00050,00045,00040,00035,00030,00025,00020,00015,00010,000

5,000

1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

Non-criminals

Sentenced Adults

Sentenced YoungOffenders

Remand

1.2 Prisoners were held in police cells under Operation Safeguard between July and mid December2002; a month-end average of 199 prisoners being held for these 5 months, or an average of 83 overthe calendar year as a whole. The average number held in prisons was 70,780 during 2002.

Long Term Trends in the prison population (Table 1.2c; figures 1.2a-1.2d)

1.3 Since 1900 the average male prison population increased from 14,460 to 66,480 in 2002. Figure 1.2bshows that the pattern of increase when expressed as the rate of prisoners per 100,000 malepopulation is similar, except that the total increase between 1900 and 2002 is less. Between 1900 and2002 the male prison population increased in absolute terms by over 4 times, but expressed as a rateper 100,000 male population, the rate of increase was just under 3 times. For female prisoners, thepattern is different. The average female prison population in 2002, at 4,300, was 44 per cent higherthan in 1900 when the average number of female prisoners was 2,980. The rate per 100,000 generalpopulation was 16 in 2002, lower than the rate of 18 per 100,000 in 1900.

5

Fig

ure

1.2

a: M

ale

pri

son

po

pu

lati

on

190

0 -

2002

(an

nu

al a

vera

ge)

10,0

00

20,0

00

30,0

00

40,0

00

50,0

00

60,0

00

70,0

00

0 1900

2000

1910

1920

1930

1940

1950

1960

1970

1980

1990

Fig

ure

1.2

b:

Mal

e p

riso

ner

s, r

ate

per

100

,000

po

pu

lati

on

1900

- 2

002

050100

150

200

250

300 19

00

1910

1920

1930

1940

1950

1960

1970

1980

1990

2000

Fig

ure

1.2

c: F

emal

e p

riso

n p

op

ula

tio

n 1

900

- 20

02(a

nn

ual

ave

rag

e)

4,00

0

3,50

0

3,00

0

2,50

0

2,00

0

1,50

0

1,00

0

500 0 19

00

2000

1910

1920

1930

1940

1950

1960

1970

1980

1990

Fig

ure

1.2

d:

Fem

ale

pri

son

ers,

rat

e p

er 1

00,0

00 p

op

ula

tio

n19

00 -

200

222 20 18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 19

00

2000

1910

1920

1930

1940

1950

1960

1970

1980

1990

4,50

0

5,00

0

6

1.4 A detailed description of trends in the male and female prison population in the earlier part of thetwentieth century is given in previous editions of Prison Statistics England and Wales.

1.5 Policy changes and events which may have affected the size of prison population in the last 10 yearsare listed in Appendix 1 with some estimates of their likely impact. The changes and events aresummarised in Figure 1.3 which shows how the population in custody varied over this period. Keychanges and events in 2002 which impacted on the size of population in custody include:

● Around 750 prisoners were released in July 2002 following a decision of the European Court ofHuman Rights on 15th July in the cases of Ezeh and Conners. It was decided that punishmentsinvolving the imposition of additional days should only be imposed by independent adjudicators.From October 2002, District Judges were engaged as independent adjudicators to deal with the mostserious cases.

● Two changes to the Home Detention Curfew (HDC) scheme were made in 2002: the introduction ofthe Presumptive HDC scheme for prisoners serving between three months and under 12 months, andthe increase of the maximum curfew period to 90 days.

● There was a temporary slow-down in the increase in the population in June 2002 due in part to theincreased number of Bank Holidays that month.

Figure 1.3

POPULATION IN CUSTODY(1) — POLICY INTERVENTIONS 1992-2002

1. Seasonally adjusted series

2. CJA = Criminal Justice Act

3. Criminal Justice and Public Order Act

4. Criminal Procedures and Investigations Act

CJA 1991 (2)

CJA 1993 (2)

Bulger murder

Home Sects 27point speech

CJ & PO Act 1994 (3)

CP & I Act 1996 (4)

General election

Crime (Sentences) Act1997

Crime and disorderAct (1988)

(Home DetentionCurfew)

'Narey' measures

Human Rights Act 2000

'Narey'Indictable

only measuresAdded daysjudgement

PresumptiveHDC

scheme

HDC maximumcurfew increased75,000

70,000

65,000

60,000

55,000

50,000

45,000

40,000

Jan-

92

Jul-9

2

Jan-

93

Jul-9

3

Jan-

94

Jul-9

4

Jan-

95

Jul-9

5

Jan-

96

Jul-9

6

Jan-

97

Jul-9

7

Jan-

98

Jul-9

8

Jan-

99

Jul-9

9

Jan-

00

Jul-0

0

Jan-

01

Jul-0

1

Jan-

02

Jul-0

2

Seasonally adjusted

Court sentencing trends

1.6 The main factors influencing the prison population are the custody rate at the courts, the averagesentence lengths given and the number of cases passing through the courts. The Crown Court has thegreatest impact on the prison population, although magistrates’ courts also make a contribution,particularly on receptions where more than half come from magistrates’ courts. The custody rate isthe proportion of those found guilty at court who are given a custodial sentence. Between 1992 and2002 the custody rate at the Crown Court rose from 45 per cent to 63 per cent. The average sentencelength for adults also increased, from 21 months to 28 months. There was however, a decrease in thenumber of adults sentenced at the Crown Court between 1992 and 2002, down from 60,900 to 56,600,a fall of 7 per cent. At magistrates’ courts the custody rate for indictable offences more than tripledfrom 5 per cent in 1992 to 17 per cent in 2002. Average sentence lengths for adults at magistrates’

7

courts fell from 2.7 to 2.5 months. Between 1992 and 2002 the total number of adults sentenced forindictable offences increased by almost 11 per cent, from 157,700 to 176,700. Full information oncourt sentencing trends is given in Chapter 7 of Criminal Statistics England and Wales 2001. Figuresfor 2002 quoted here are provisional.

Components of the population in custody (Tables 1.3 and 1.4)

1.7 Among the population in custody in 2002 were an average 57,220 prisoners under sentence (81 percent of the total). These included 45,600 sentenced adult males, 8,320 sentenced male youngoffenders (generally aged under 21) and 3,300 sentenced females. The population held on remandconsisted on average of 12,790 prisoners (18 per cent of the total), with 11,850 males and 940 females.The population in custody also included 850 non-criminal prisoners, who were mainly persons heldunder the Immigration Act 1971, but also included those held for civil offences such as contempt ofcourt. The total population in custody increased by 4,560 or 7 per cent between 2001 and 2002, from66,300 to 70,860. The sentenced population increased by 6 per cent (3,170), from 54,050 to 57,220.The average remand population, at 12,790, was 14 per cent higher than the average in 2001 (11,240).

1.8 The female population in custody increased by 15 per cent from an average 3,740 in 2001 to 4,300 in2002. The male population in custody increased by 6 per cent, from 62,560 to 66,560. Femalesaccounted for a greater proportion of the total prison population in 2002 than in 2001, at 6.1 per centcompared with 5.6 per cent during the previous year. This appears to be part of an ongoing trend,with the proportion of females having been 3.4 per cent in 1992, 3.9 per cent in 1995, 4.4 per cent in1997, and 5 per cent in 1999.

1.9 The male population in custody in 2002 consisted of an average of 82, or 0.1 per cent, held in policecells under Operation Safeguard, 2,980 (4.5 per cent) held in remand centres, 26,070 (39 per cent)held in local prisons, 29,470 (44 per cent) held in training prisons and 7,960 (12 per cent) in youngoffender institutions. Included among these were 3,950 (6 per cent) held in open conditions. Thenumber of male prisoners held in open conditions was higher than in 2001, when 3,490 were in openconditions.

1.10 Sentenced young offenders and remand prisoners aged 15 to 20 accounted for 16 per cent of the malepopulation in custody in 2002, with an average population of 10,720, of whom 74 per cent (7,950)were held in young offender institutions. 2,600 (24 per cent) were held in remand centres and 160(one per cent) were held in local prisons during 2002.

Components of the prison population (Tables 1.5-1.9; figures 1.4a, 1.4b and 1.5)

1.11 A summary of the sentenced prison population by offence group is given in Table 1.7a. Between 2001and 2002 (taking June 30th as a reference date) there were above average increases for malesentenced prisoners among those sentenced for robbery (up 10 per cent) and drugs offences (up 9 percent). There were reductions in the numbers of males serving sentences for motoring offences (down5 per cent) and fraud and forgery (down 2 per cent).

1.12 Amongst the female sentenced prison population, between 2001 and 2002 there were above averageincreases among those sentenced for burglary (up 49 per cent), robbery (up 24 per cent) and offencesof violence against the person (up 21 per cent). There was a reduction in the female sentenced prisonpopulation for fraud and forgery (down 6 per cent). The increase in drugs offences of 17 per cent wassimilar to the overall increase in the female sentenced prison population (15 per cent). Forty-five percent of the increase in the female sentenced prison population between 2001 and 2002 was accountedfor by an increase in drugs offences. The increases in offences of violence against the person andburglary accounted for 21 and 18 per cent respectively. This compares to the increase between 2000and 2001, when three-quarters of the increase was accounted for by an increase in drugs offences.

1.13 Over the 10 years shown in Table 1.7, the male sentenced prison population increased by 57 per cent.This included 3 times the number of drug offenders, up from 2,900 in 1992 to 8,720 in 2002. The rateof increase was also above the average for males sentenced for rape (increase of 84 per cent).

8

Figure 1.4a

MALE PRISON POPULATION UNDER AN IMMEDIATECUSTODIAL SENTENCE 1992 AND 2002

15,000

10,000

5,000

0Violence

against theperson

Rape Othersexual

offences

Burglary Robbery Theftand

handling

Fraudand

forgery

Drugsoffences

Otheroffences

Offencenot

recorded

1992

2002

1.14 Over the same period, the female sentenced prison population increased by 184 per cent, from 1,180in 1992 to 3,340 in 2002. There were above average increases for females held after conviction forrobbery, where the numbers increased from 60 in 1992 to 310 in 2002, an increase of 453 per cent.Increases were also observed in the numbers held for drugs offences (up from 260 to 1,330 or 414 percent), and burglary (up from 50 to 230 or 350 per cent).

Figure 1.4b

FEMALE PRISON POPULATION UNDER AN IMMEDIATECUSTODIAL SENTENCE 1992 AND 2002

1,000

900

800

700

600

500

400

300

200

100

0Violence

against theperson

Rape Othersexual

offences

Burglary Robbery Theft andhandling

Fraudand

forgery

Drugsoffences

Otheroffences

Offencenot

recorded

2002

19921,100

1,200

1,300

1,400

9

1.15 Table 1.7b gives more detail on prisoners held for drug offences. The number of prisoners held forunlawful supply has increased by 5 times since 1992 and the number held for possession with intent tosupply has tripled in the same time period. Six hundred prisoners held for drugs offences in 2002 hadbeen convicted of possession without intent to supply.

1.16 Figure 1.5 and Table 1.8 show that since 1992 longer sentence prisoners (sentences of 4 years or morein this chart) have tended to increase as a proportion of all sentenced prisoners. By 2002, 48 per centof sentenced prisoners were serving 4 years or more, compared with 42 per cent in 1992. Between1992 and 2002 the proportion of sentenced prisoners serving sentences of less than 12 monthsdecreased slightly, whilst the proportion of sentenced prisoners serving sentences of 12 months toless than 4 years reduced from 42 per cent to 38 per cent.

Figure 1.5

SENTENCED PRISON POPULATION BY LENGTH OF SENTENCE1992-2002

60,000

50,000

40,000

30,000

20,000

10,000

0

1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

Year

Num

ber

of p

erso

ns

4 years or more including life

12 months to less than 4 years

Less than 12 months

1.17 Table 1.9 shows that the sentenced prison population aged under 21 on 30th June 2002 was 8,240, anincrease of 1 per cent compared to 2001 when the figure was 8,140. Between 1992 and 2002 thenumber of sentenced prisoners aged 15-17 increased by 186 per cent; whilst those aged 18-20increased by 55 per cent. The largest increase was observed for those aged 60 and over (an increase of203 per cent) whereas the smallest increases were for those aged 21-24 and 25-29 (increases of 32 and33 per cent respectively).

1.18 Chapters 2, 3, and 4 in this report contain more details about the characteristics of remand prisoners,young and adult prisoners under sentence.

Receptions into prison (Tables 1.1, 1.10, 1.11 and 1.12; figure 1.6)

1.19 In 2002, 136,200 persons were initially received into Prison Service establishments. A personreceived into a Prison Service establishment to serve a sentence may previously have been receivedon remand after conviction prior to sentence, and before that as a remand prisoner awaiting trial.Table 1a gives the number of initial receptions in each category excluding subsequent receptions in adifferent category. 47,250 persons were initially received under an immediate custodial sentence in2002; this compares with 93,620 receptions under sentence (excluding fine defaulters) when, as inTable 1.1, those previously received on remand are included.

10

1.20 The number of prisoners received from magistrates’ courts under an immediate custodial sentence(i.e. excluding fine defaulters) increased between 1992, when there were 17,470 receptions, up to51,960 in 2002. Receptions from the Crown Court increased from the low point of 29,040 in 1993 to42,370 in 1997, but there was no further increase in receptions from the Crown Court in 1998. From1999 to 2001 there were decreases in the number of receptions, but in 2002 the number increased by1,600 (or 4 per cent) to a level just below that observed in 1999.

1.21 The Crown Court accounts for a large proportion of the sentenced prison population, reflecting thelonger sentences generally given at the Crown Court. Between 1992 and 1999 the Crown Court’sshare of the sentenced population was broadly stable, at around 87 to 89 per cent. In 2000 and 2001the share fell by around 5 percentage points each year, but in 2002 it increased slightly to 82 per cent.

1.22 The numbers of prisoners received under an immediate custodial sentence increased by 3 per centbetween 2001 and 2002; this was mainly concentrated amongst offenders receiving sentences of4 years or more, who increased in number by 14 per cent. The numbers received with sentences of12 months to less than 4 years increased by 7 per cent between 2001 and 2002. The numbers receivedwith sentences of less than 12 months increased by just 1 per cent. Details of these trends for adultsand young offenders are given in chapters 3 and 4.

Figure 1.6

ANNUAL RECEPTIONS UNDER IMMEDIATE CUSTODIALSENTENCE 1992-2002

100,000

90,000

80,000

70,000

60,000

50,000

40,000

30,000

20,000

10,000

0

1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

Year

4 years or more including life


Less than 12 months

Num

ber

of R

ecep

tions

Fine defaulters and non-criminal prisoners in prison (Tables 1.13-1.16)

1.23 Receptions of fine defaulters were also much reduced on earlier years being, at 1,190 during 2002,around 6 per cent of the number in 1992 (19,830). The great majority of these receptions were males,93 per cent in 2002. The total number of females received into prison as fine defaulters was 79 during2002.

1.24 Table 1.14 gives receptions of fine defaulters into prison by age, offence group and sex. Finedefaulters were most likely to be received into prison after defaulting on a fine imposed for motoringoffences (21 per cent of receptions of male fine defaulters).

1.25 Most fine defaulters serve only very short periods of detention or imprisonment. In 2002 the averagetime served in prisons was 10 days for males and 6 days for females. As a result of the comparativelyshort time served, fine defaulters form a smaller proportion of the total sentenced prison population(0.1 per cent in 2002) than they do of receptions (2.2 per cent).

11

1.26 There were 34 fine defaulters in prison on 30th June 2002. This is just under one-tenth of the level in1992. Two major developments which affected fine enforcement practice account for the fall. InNovember 1995 a Queen’s Bench Judgement in Cawley and Others(1) clarified the legislative positionwhereby all enforcement measures have to be actively considered or tried before imprisonment canbe imposed by the courts. A number of initiatives under the Government’s Working Group on theEnforcement of Financial Penalties were taken forward in 1996 and will also have contributed to thefall in the use of imprisonment for fine defaulters. These included issuing good practice guidance forthe courts in July 1996 and the extension of the power to impose an attachment of earnings order inthe Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act 1996.

1.27 Statistics on non-criminal prisoners at 30th June 2002 are presented in tables 1.15 and 1.16. Thenumber of non-criminal prisoners held decreased by 26 per cent between 2001 and 2002, from 1,130to 830. The majority of non-criminal prisoners (760 or 91 per cent) were held under the 1971Immigration Act, although this does not include persons held in detention centres controlled by theImmigration Service. Fifty-five non-criminal prisoners were held for contempt of court (7 per cent ofall non-criminal prisoners).

1.28 Receptions of non-criminal prisoners decreased by 42 per cent between 2001 and 2002; receptions ofprisoners held under the 1971 Immigration Act decreased from 4,040 to 2,090.

Accommodation (Tables 1.17 and 1.18; figure 1.7)

1.29 In-use Certified Normal Accommodation (CNA) recorded on 30th June 2002 was 64,230, 700 morethan a year earlier. The average population in custody during 2002 was 6,630 more than the CNA on30th June. Table 1.18 gives the number of prisoners held on 30th June 2002 at each establishment,together with the CNA on that date.

Figure 1.7

POPULATION IN CUSTODY AND CERTIFIED NORMALACCOMODATION

POPULATION C.N.A75,000

70,000

65,000

60,000

55,000

50,000

45,000

40,000

Jan-

97

Mar

-97

May

-97

Jul-9

7

Sep-9

7

Nov-9

7

Jan-

98

Mar

-98

May

-98

Jul-9

8

Sep-9

8

Nov-9

8

Jan-

99

Mar

-99

May

-99

Jul-9

9

Sep-9

9

Nov-9

9

Jan-

00

Mar

-00

May

-00

Jul-0

0

Sep-0

0

Nov-0

0

Jan-

01

Mar

-01

May

-01

Jul-0

1

Sep-0

1

Nov-0

1

Jan-

02

Mar

-02

May

-02

Jul-0

2

Sep-0

2

Nov-0

2

Jan-

03

Mar

-03

International comparisons (Table 1.19; figure 1.8)

1.30 Table 1.19 shows information on the total number of prisoners (including pre-trial detainees), therate of imprisonment in relation to the general population and the rate of occupancy of prisonestablishments in a number of countries. When making comparisons of prison population statisticsacross different jurisdictions it should be borne in mind that there are differences in both thedefinitions and the recording methods used.

(1) R v Oldham Justices and another, ex parte Cawley and other applications. Queen’s Bench Division. 30, 31 October, 28 November1995.

12

1.31 The prison population in European Union Member States increased by 5 per cent between 2001 and2002. The greatest increases in the countries listed in the table were in Lithuania (up 22 per cent),Northern Ireland (up 18 per cent), France (up 14 per cent), Finland (up 12 per cent), Denmark (up 10per cent), Malta and the Netherlands (both up 8 per cent), Sweden (up 7 per cent) and England andWales (up 6 per cent). The largest decreases in the table were the Czech Republic (down 16 per cent)and Russia (down 11 per cent).

1.32 In England and Wales there were 137 people in custody for every 100,000 members of the generalpopulation in 2002. This is the highest among western European countries, followed by Portugal (132per 100,000 population) and Scotland (126). The USA (702) and Russia (602) had the highest ratesamongst those reported.

Figure 1.8

RATE PER 100,000 POPULATION IN 2002

702602

431

370351

333

225210

177

158144143

137132

126126

124116

101101

9687878686

8478

7776737068676361

61585352

U.S.A.Russia

South AfricaLatvia

EstoniaLithuaniaRomania

PolandHungary

Czech RepublicNew Zealand

SlovakiaEngland & Wales

PortugalScotland

BulgariaSpain

AustraliaNetherlands

CanadaItaly

Germany

FranceAustria

BelgiumTurkeyIreland

LuxembourgGreece

SwedenMalta

SwitzerlandFinland

DenmarkNorway

SloveniaJapan

Cyprus

Northern Ireland

0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800

13

Table 1.1 Receptions into prison and average population in custody: by sex and type of custody

England and Wales 2002Males and females Number of persons(1)

Receptions into Average population in custody(2)

Prison Service establishments

Males Females All males Males Females All malesand females and females

All persons in custody(3) 134,484 13,380 147,864 66,562 4,299 70,861

Prisoners on remand 82,835 8,690 91,525 11,847 945 12,792

Untried prisoners 53,754 4,954 58,708 7,231 496 7,728Convicted unsentenced prisoners

awaiting sentence or enquiry 47,851 5,450 53,301 4,616 449 5,064Received under Section 37

Mental Health Act 1983 180 29 209Others 47,671 5,421 53,092

Prisoners under sentence 87,008 7,799 94,807 53,922 3,301 57,222

Young offenders 19,011 1,335 20,346 8,320 459 8,779Detention in a young offender

institution/Detention andTraining Order 18,310 1,298 19,608 8,170 446 8,616Section 91 PCC(S)(4) (excludinglife) 530 29 559 }

Life (Section 90 PCC(S), Section91 PCC(S) - life and custody forlife)(4) 64 5 69 148 13 160

In default of payment of a fine 107 3 110 2 - 2

Adults 67,997 6,464 74,461 45,601 2,842 48,443Immediate imprisonment

(excluding life) 66,543 6,372 72,915 40,724 2,687 43,411Life 448 16 464 4,845 152 4,997In default of payment of a fine 1,006 76 1,082 32 3 35

Non criminal prisoners 2,534 140 2,674 793 54 847Held under the 1971 Immigration

Act(5) 1,988 105 2,093 726 51 777Others 546 35 581 67 2 70

(1) The components do not always add up to the totals, because they have been rounded independently.(2) Includes police cells.(3) Total receptions cannot be calculated by adding together receptions in each category, because there is double counting (see paragraph 26 of the

Notes).The total receptions figures given are estimates of initial receptions (see paragraph 1.19 and table 1(e) of the commentary.(4) Section 53 of the Children & Young Persons Act 1933 was repealed on 25th August 2000 and its provisions transferred to sections 90-92 of the Powers of

Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000.(5) Schedule 2, paragraph 16; Schedule 3, paragraph 2.

Table 1.1a Initial receptions during 2002 into prison by sex and type of custody(1)

England and WalesEstimated number of receptions(2)

Males Females All malesPersons initially received as: and females

All initial receptions 123,550 12,650 136,200All remand receptions 77,500 8,350 85,850

Untried 53,750 4,950 58,700Convicted Unsentenced 23,750 3,400 27,150

Immediate custodial sentence 43,100 4,100 47,250

Fine Defaulter 1,050 50 1,100

Non-criminal 1,900 100 2,000(1) Excludes police cells.(2) Rounded to the nearest 50.

14

Table 1.2 Population in custody(1): by sex and type of custody, annual averages and month end figures

England and WalesMales and females Thousands(1)

Prisoners on remand(1) Male prisoners under sentence(1)(2)

Males Females

Untried Convictedunsentenced

Allremand

Youngoffenders Adults by sentence length

AUR ACR DCR

Less than12 months

12 monthsless than4 years

4 years &over

(inc. life)

Allsentenced

adult males

Annual averages1998 7.73 4.13 0.70 12.57 8.17 5.57 15.29 20.76 41.621999 7.51 4.26 0.75 12.52 8.01 5.27 14.26 21.68 41.212000 6.70 3.87 0.70 11.28 8.07 5.47 14.24 22.28 41.992001 6.49 3.97 0.78 11.24 8.18 5.42 14.58 22.92 42.952002 7.23 4.62 0.95 12.79 8.32 5.28 15.73 24.57 45.60

Financial year averages1997-98 7.96 3.65 0.63 12.24 7.79 5.37 14.70 19.77 39.841998-99 7.70 4.17 0.72 12.59 8.15 5.46 15.16 21.02 41.641999-00 7.34 4.25 0.74 12.32 8.00 5.36 14.20 21.86 41.422000-01 6.55 3.79 0.69 11.03 8.10 5.40 14.19 22.39 41.992001-02 6.69 4.14 0.95 11.66 8.21 5.54 14.88 23.21 43.632002-03 7.30 4.66 0.97 12.93 8.31 5.20 15.80 25.08 46.08

Month end figures2001 January 6.26 3.89 0.69 10.84 8.16 4.78 13.91 22.52 41.21

February 6.21 3.87 0.69 10.77 8.47 5.43 14.07 22.57 42.07March 6.25 3.72 0.68 10.65 8.23 5.52 14.39 22.74 42.64April 6.40 3.79 0.70 10.89 8.18 5.55 14.35 22.74 42.63May 6.38 4.01 0.75 11.13 8.19 5.59 14.37 22.71 42.67June 6.35 3.94 0.77 11.06 8.32 5.68 14.51 22.81 43.00

July 6.57 4.04 0.82 11.43 8.32 5.65 14.73 22.91 43.32August 6.62 3.98 0.85 11.44 8.35 5.63 14.64 22.96 43.24September 6.75 4.09 0.86 11.70 8.17 5.57 14.89 23.03 43.49October 6.73 4.18 0.85 11.76 8.26 5.65 15.00 23.21 43.87November 6.75 4.31 0.87 11.92 8.33 5.64 15.18 23.36 44.17December 6.66 3.82 0.79 11.27 7.85 4.76 14.89 23.46 43.11

2002 January 6.87 4.52 0.89 12.27 7.89 5.26 15.07 23.59 43.92February 7.11 4.57 0.91 12.59 8.25 5.92 15.40 23.77 45.10March 7.05 4.47 0.88 12.40 8.36 5.57 15.47 24.00 45.04April 7.12 4.71 0.98 12.81 8.20 5.59 15.68 24.22 45.49May 7.09 4.71 0.94 12.75 8.36 5.61 15.74 24.43 45.78June 7.35 4.73 1.00 13.08 8.37 5.26 15.81 24.52 45.60

July 7.36 4.72 0.97 13.05 8.34 5.21 15.79 24.63 45.63August 7.22 4.77 0.98 12.97 8.30 5.21 15.82 24.73 45.76September 7.55 4.80 0.99 13.34 8.49 5.25 16.02 24.89 46.17October 7.57 4.73 0.98 13.29 8.61 5.44 16.22 25.09 46.75November 7.24 4.55 0.95 12.75 8.60 5.17 16.27 25.35 46.79December 7.24 4.10 0.87 12.21 8.09 4.22 15.42 25.56 45.20

2003 January 7.31 4.76 0.91 12.99 7.93 4.57 15.42 25.66 45.65February 7.23 4.77 0.97 12.97 8.11 5.33 15.64 25.86 46.83March 7.31 4.55 1.05 12.91 8.29 5.48 15.78 26.07 47.33

(1) Includes police cells.(2) Including fine defaulters.

15

Table 1.2 (continued) Population in custody(1): by sex and type of custody, annual averages and month endfigures

England and WalesMales and females Thousands Number

Prisoners under sentence(1)(2) Of which

Males FemalesAll

sentenced

Non-criminal

prisoners(1)

Allmales(1)

Allfemales(1)

Totalin

custody(1)

PrisonService

establish-ments

Policecells

Annual averages1998 49.80 2.38 52.18 0.55 62.19 3.11 65,298 65,298 –1999 49.22 2.47 51.69 0.56 61.52 3.25 64,771 64,771 –2000 50.06 2.63 52.69 0.64 61.25 3.35 64,602 64,602 –2001 51.13 2.93 54.05 1.01 62.56 3.74 66,301 66,301 –2002 53.92 3.30 57.22 0.85 66.56 4.30 70,861 70,778 83

Financial year averages1997-98 47.63 2.16 49.78 0.56 59.78 2.81 62,584 62,584 –1998-99 49.79 2.41 52.20 0.56 62.20 3.16 65,353 65,353 –1999-00 49.42 2.51 51.93 0.56 61.54 3.28 64,816 64,816 –2000-01 50.09 2.67 52.76 0.74 61.14 3.38 64,523 64,523 –2001-02 51.83 3.30 57.22 0.85 66.56 4.30 67,474 67,474 –2002-03 54.39 3.33 57.72 0.94 67.23 4.35 71,581 71,498 83

Month end figures2001 January 49.00 2.62 51.62 0.94 60.06 3.34 63,403 63,403 –

February 50.18 2.75 52.93 0.93 61.17 3.46 64,631 64,631 –March 50.87 2.85 53.72 1.02 61.84 3.55 65,394 65,394 –April 50.81 2.85 53.66 1.06 62.02 3.58 65,604 65,604 –May 50.86 2.90 53.76 1.12 62.33 3.69 66,012 66,012 –June 51.31 2.90 54.21 1.13 62.69 3.71 66,403 66,403 –

July 51.64 2.94 54.57 1.09 63.29 3.80 67,092 67,092 –August 51.59 2.98 54.57 1.04 63.19 3.87 67,056 67,056 –September 51.66 3.06 54.72 1.05 63.51 3.96 67,465 67,465 –October 52.12 3.14 55.26 1.03 64.02 4.04 68,053 68,053 –November 52.50 3.10 55.60 0.93 64.43 4.02 68,452 68,452 –December 50.96 3.02 53.98 0.80 62.18 3.87 66,049 66,049 –

2002 January 51.81 3.11 54.92 0.68 63.81 4.06 67,870 67,870 –February 53.34 3.20 56.54 0.72 65.70 4.15 69,847 69,847 –March 53.40 3.28 56.68 0.71 65.58 4.21 69,784 69,784 –April 53.68 3.34 57.02 0.76 66.22 4.37 70,589 70,589 –May 54.14 3.40 57.54 0.82 66.71 4.40 71,112 71,112 –June 53.97 3.34 57.31 0.83 66.82 4.39 71,218 71,218 –

July 53.96 3.35 57.31 0.88 66.88 4.37 71,247 71,154 93August 54.07 3.33 57.40 0.96 66.96 4.36 71,324 71,207 117September 54.65 3.37 58.02 0.95 67.91 4.40 72,315 72,097 218October 55.36 3.39 58.75 0.95 68.56 4.42 72,986 72,572 414November 55.39 3.36 58.75 0.93 68.06 4.37 72,424 72,272 152December 53.29 3.15 56.44 0.97 65.54 4.08 69,612 69,612 –

2003 January 53.58 3.24 56.82 1.10 66.69 4.21 70,903 70,903 –February 54.94 3.31 58.25 1.06 67.94 4.35 72,286 72,286 –March 55.61 3.38 58.99 1.06 68.48 4.47 72,954 72,954 –

(1) Includes police cells.(2) Including fine defaulters.

16

Table 1.2a The average prison population(1,2) 1900 to 2002 by year and sex of prisoner

England and Wales Number of persons

Year Males Females Total

Femalesas a

proportion(%) Year Males Females Total

Females asa

proportion(%)

1900 14,459 2,976 17,435 17.1 1952 22,568 1,112 23,680 4.71901 15,868 3,112 18,980 16.4 1953 22,473 1,137 23,610 4.81902 16,240 3,197 19,437 16.4 1954 21,337 1,084 22,421 4.81903 17,418 3,377 20,795 16.2 1955 20,156 978 21,134 4.61904 18,167 3,261 21,428 15.2 1956 19,941 866 20,807 4.21905 18,398 3,127 21,525 14.5 1957 21,742 860 22,602 3.81906 18,102 2,972 21,074 14.1 1958 24,459 920 25,379 3.61907 18,045 2,881 20,926 13.8 1959 25,727 896 26,623 3.41908 19,268 2,878 22,146 13.0 1960 26,198 901 27,099 3.31909 19,333 2,685 22,018 12.2 1961 28,094 931 29,025 3.21910 18,323 2,581 20,904 12.3 1962 30,066 997 31,063 3.21911 17,325 2,472 19,797 12.5 1963 29,925 971 30,896 3.11912 16,829 2,613 19,442 13.4 1964 28,718 882 29,600 3.01913 15,752 2,484 18,236 13.6 1965 29,580 841 30,421 2.81914 13,449 2,359 15,808 14.9 1966 32,127 959 33,086 2.91915 9,244 2,067 11,311 18.3 1967 34,056 953 35,009 2.71916 8,210 1,848 10,058 18.4 1968 31,656 805 32,461 2.51917 7,891 1,769 9,660 18.3 1969 33,814 853 34,667 2.51918 7,595 1,604 9,199 17.4 1970 38,040 988 39,028 2.51919 8,279 1,404 9,683 14.5 1971 38,673 1,035 39,708 2.61920 9,573 1,427 11,000 13.0 1972 37,348 980 38,328 2.61921 10,791 1,388 12,179 11.4 1973 35,747 1,027 36,774 2.81922 10,557 1,209 11,766 10.3 1974 35,823 1,044 36,867 2.81923 10,117 1,031 11,148 9.2 1975 38,601 1,219 39,820 3.11924 9,808 942 10,750 8.8 1976 40,161 1,282 41,443 3.11925 9,635 874 10,509 8.3 1977 40,212 1,358 41,570 3.31926 9,972 888 10,860 8.2 1978 40,409 1,387 41,796 3.31927 10,300 879 11,179 7.9 1979 40,762 1,458 42,220 3.51928 10,305 804 11,109 7.2 1980 40,748 1,516 42,264 3.61929 10,094 767 10,861 7.1 1981 41,904 1,407 43,311 3.21930 10,561 785 11,346 6.9 1982 42,381 1,326 43,707 3.01931 10,884 792 11,676 6.8 1983 42,072 1,390 43,462 3.21932 11,992 811 12,803 6.3 1984 41,822 1,473 43,295 3.41933 12,180 806 12,986 6.2 1985 44,701 1,532 46,233 3.31934 11,493 745 12,238 6.1 1986 45,163 1,607 46,770 3.41935 10,587 719 11,306 6.4 1987 46,722 1,704 48,426 3.51936 9,939 674 10,613 6.4 1988 47,113 1,759 48,872 3.61937 9,894 668 10,562 6.3 1989 46,736 1,764 48,500 3.61938 10,388 698 11,086 6.3 1990 43,378 1,597 44,975 3.61939 9,662 664 10,326 6.4 1991 43,250 1,559 44,809 3.51940 8,443 934 9,377 10.0 1992 43,157 1,562 44,719 3.51941 9,667 968 10,635 9.1 1993 42,991 1,561 44,552 3.51942 11,223 1,177 12,400 9.5 1994 46,810 1,811 48,621 3.71943 11,430 1,360 12,790 10.6 1995 48,983 1,979 50,962 3.91944 11,438 1,477 12,915 11.4 1996 53,019 2,262 55,281 4.11945 13,180 1,528 14,708 10.4 1997 58,439 2,675 61,114 4.41946 14,556 1,233 15,789 7.8 1998 62,194 3,105 65,298 4.81947 15,986 1,081 17,067 6.3 1999 61,523 3,247 64,771 5.01948 18,621 1,144 19,765 5.8 2000 61,252 3,350 64,602 5.21949 18,783 1,096 19,879 5.5 2001 62,560 3,740 66,301 5.61950 19,367 1,107 20,474 5.4 2002 66,479 4,299 70,778 6.11951 20,687 1,093 21,780 5.0

(1) Annual average population.(2) Excludes police cells.

17

Table 1.3 Average population in custody: by type of prisoner, type of establishment (including police cells) and sex

England and Wales 2002Males Number of persons(1)

All types Police Remand Local Training prisons Young offender institutionsof estab- cells centres prisonslishment Open Closed Juvenile Open Closed

Type of prisoner (includingpolicecells)

All males 66,562 82 2,980 26,068 3,595 25,878 2,802 354 4,803

Untried criminal prisoners 7,231 43 944 5,856 – 30 315 – 44Aged 15 to 20 1,381 5 944 73 – – 315 – 44Aged 21 and over 5,850 38 – 5,783 – 30 – – –

Convicted unsentenced prisoners 4,616 15 726 3,604 – 20 174 – 78Aged 15 to 20 1,023 1 726 45 – – 174 – 78Aged 21 and over 3,593 14 – 3,559 – 20 – – –

Sentenced prisoners 53,922 24 935 16,207 3,592 25,821 2,312 354 4,677

Young offenders 8,320 2 935 41 – – 2,312 354 4,677AURLess than 12 months(2) 1,933 – 295 10 – – 814 53 762ACR12 months to less than 4 years 4,617 2 478 17 – – 1,297 275 2,549DCR4 years to less than 10 years 1,578 – 145 11 – – 182 25 1,21510 years less than life 42 – 3 1 – – – 1 37Life (including Section 90 and custody

for life) 148 – 13 2 – – 18 – 113In default of payment of a fine 2 – 1 – – – – 0 1

Adults 45,601 22 – 16,166 3,592 25,821 – – –AURLess than 12 months(2) 5,278 – – 4,140 513 624 – – –ACR12 months to less than 4 years 15,726 22 – 6,913 1,485 7,305 – – –DCR4 years to less than 10 years 15,922 – – 3,793 1,016 11,113 – – –10 years less than life 3,798 – – 604 175 3,019 – – –Life 4,845 – – 691 399 3,755 – – –In default of payment of a fine 32 – – 25 2 5 – – –

Non criminal prisoners 793 – 375 401 3 8 2 – 4Held under the 1971 Immigration Act 726 – 374 341 – 5 2 – 4Others 67 – 1 60 3 2 – – –

(1) The components do not always add up to the totals, because they have been rounded independently.(2) Excluding fine defaulters.

18

Table 1.3 Average population in custody: by type of prisoner, type of establishment (including police cells) and sex

England and Wales 2002Females Number of persons(1)

All types Police Remand Local Training prisons Young offender institutionsof estab- cells centres prisonslishment Open Closed Juvenile Open Closed

Type of prisoner (includingpolicecells)

All females 4,299 1 4 1,457 443 1,957 110 42 286

Untried criminal prisoners 496 – 2 395 – 73 7 – 19Aged 15 to 20 75 – 2 46 – 2 7 – 19Aged 21 and over 422 – – 350 – 72 – – –

Convicted unsentenced prisoners 449 – 2 368 – 50 5 – 23Aged 15 to 20 79 – 2 48 – 1 5 – 23Aged 21 and over 369 – – 320 – 49 – – –

Sentenced prisoners 3,301 – 1 648 443 1,827 98 42 243

Young offenders 459 – 1 66 6 4 98 42 243AURLess than 12 months(2) 118 – – 12 – 1 36 6 63ACR12 months to less than 4 years 250 – – 44 4 2 52 29 118DCR4 years to less than 10 years 72 – 1 8 2 1 7 7 4610 years less than life 7 – – 1 – – – – 5Life (including Section 90 and custody

for life) 13 – – 1 – – 2 – 10In default of payment of a fine – – – – – – – – –

Adults 2,842 – – 582 436 1,823 – – –AURLess than 12 months(2) 477 – – 188 57 232 – – –ACR12 months to less than 4 years 1,119 – – 257 180 682 – – –DCR4 years to less than 10 years 915 – – 103 150 662 – – –10 years less than life 177 – – 10 32 134 – – –Life 152 – – 23 18 111 – – –In default of payment of a fine 3 – – 1 1 1 – – –

Non criminal prisoners 54 – – 45 – 7 – – 2Held under the 1971 Immigration Act 51 – – 44 – 6 – – 2Others 2 – – 1 – 1 – – –

(1) The components do not always add up to the totals, because they have been rounded independently.(2) Excluding fine defaulters.

19

Table 1.4 Average population in custody(1): by type of custody and sex

England and WalesMales and females Number of persons(2)

Type of custody 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

All males and femalesPopulation in custody of which: 45,817 44,566 48,794 51,047 55,281 61,114 65,298 64,771 64,602 66,301 70,861

Population in Prison Serviceestablishments 44,719 44,552 48,621 50,962 55,281 61,114 65,298 64,771 64,602 66,301 70,778

Population in police cells 1,098 14 173 85 – – – – – – 83

All malesPopulation in custody of which: 44,240 43,005 46,983 49,068 53,019 58,439 62,194 61,523 61,252 62,560 66,562


Population in police cells 1,083 14 173 85 – – – – – – 82Prisoners on remand 9,707 10,279 11,867 10,884 11,075 11,532 11,863 11,772 10,574 10,462 11,847

Untried 7,805 7,687 8,818 8,077 8,004 8,057 7,730 7,513 6,701 6,494 7,231Convicted unsentenced 1,902 2,592 3,049 2,807 3,071 3,475 4,133 4,258 3,873 3,969 4,616

Prisoners under sentence 34,230 32,183 34,505 37,593 41,346 46,360 49,796 49,217 50,057 51,126 53,922Young offenders 5,336 4,994 5,164 5,619 6,489 7,556 8,172 8,012 8,070 8,175 8,320Detention in a young offender

institution/Detention & trainingorder 5,169 4,836 5,020 5,486 6,389 7,439 8,035 7,869 7,925 8,030 8,170

Life (including Section 90 andcustody for life) 105 84 84 81 80 105 122 135 141 139 148

In default of payment of a fine 62 74 60 52 20 12 15 8 4 5 2Adults 28,894 27,189 29,340 31,974 34,856 38,805 41,624 41,205 41,987 42,951 45,601Life 2,812 2,917 2,999 3,112 3,289 3,488 3,688 3,939 4,261 4,530 4,845Immediate imprisonment (excl.

life) 25,830 23,874 25,977 28,528 31,417 35,194 37,825 37,183 37,670 38,384 40,724In default of payment of a fine 252 398 364 334 150 123 112 83 56 38 32Non-criminal prisoners 303 543 611 591 599 547 534 534 619 972 793Held under the 1971 Immigration

Act 224 405 464 464 494 464 455 463 557 916 726Others 79 137 147 127 105 83 78 71 61 56 67

All femalesPopulation in custody of which: 1,577 1,561 1,811 1,979 2,262 2,675 3,105 3,247 3,350 3,740 4,299


Population in police cells 15 – – – – – – – – – 1

Prisoners on remand 383 395 490 491 538 599 704 748 700 775 945Untried 271 285 351 344 371 396 426 434 396 430 496Convicted unsentenced 112 110 139 147 167 203 278 313 304 345 449

Prisoners under sentence 1,190 1,135 1,292 1,464 1,697 2,052 2,380 2,474 2,627 2,925 3,301Young offenders 133 137 155 187 233 278 333 332 369 390 459Detention in a young offender

institution/Detention & trainingorder 125 129 148 179 225 268 328 328 363 378 446


In default of payment of a fine 3 3 2 2 2 1 – 1 – 1 –Adults 1,057 998 1,137 1,277 1,464 1,774 2,047 2,142 2,258 2,535 2,842Life 95 102 104 108 117 125 135 139 145 150 152Immediate imprisonment (excl.

life) 950 878 1,013 1,154 1,339 1,644 1,908 2,000 2,109 2,384 2,687In default of payment of a fine 12 18 20 15 8 5 4 3 3 1 3Non-criminal prisoners 5 31 29 24 28 25 20 24 22 40 54Held under the 1971 Immigration

Act 3 25 23 19 22 21 19 22 19 39 51Others 2 6 6 5 6 4 1 2 2 1 2

(1) Includes police cells.(2) The components do not always add to the totals because they have been rounded independently.

20

Table 1.4a Population in custody at 30 June(1): by type of custody and sex

England and WalesMales and females Number of persons(1)

Type of custody 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

All males and femalesPopulation in custody of which: 46,832 44,246 48,929 51,084 55,256 61,467 65,727 64,529 65,194 66,403 71,218


Population in police cells 1,346 – 50 – – – – – – – –

All malesPopulation in custody of which: 45,277 42,666 47,125 49,086 52,951 58,795 62,607 61,322 61,839 62,690 66,824


Population in police cells 1,327 – 50 – – – – – – – –Prisoners on remand 10,026 10,230 12,042 10,561 11,022 11,518 12,168 11,837 10,764 10,288 12,083

Untried 8,107 7,564 8,906 7,613 8,028 8,134 7,932 7,501 6,820 6,351 7,351Convicted unsentenced 1,919 2,666 3,136 2,948 2,994 3,384 4,236 4,336 3,944 3,937 4,732

Prisoners under sentence 34,890 31,897 34,484 37,897 41,323 46,739 49,902 48,956 50,514 51,313 53,967Young offenders 5,465 4,925 5,137 5,659 6,363 7,698 8,212 8,025 8,160 8,315 8,368Detention in a young offender

institution/Detention & trainingorder 5,299 4,753 4,981 5,504 6,274 7,584 8,080 7,881 8,009 8,176 8,221


In default of payment of a fine 79 95 73 72 14 14 11 13 7 2 –Adults 29,425 26,972 29,347 32,238 34,960 39,041 41,690 40,931 42,354 42,998 45,599Life 2,817 2,913 2,998 3,093 3,290 3,484 3,676 3,925 4,297 4,511 4,835Immediate imprisonment (excl.

life) 26,328 23,632 25,908 28,727 31,548 35,443 37,916 36,925 37,984 38,448 40,733In default of payment of a fine 280 427 441 418 122 114 98 81 73 39 31Non-criminal prisoners 361 539 599 628 606 538 537 529 561 1,088 774Held under the 1971 Immigration

Act 264 405 460 488 499 457 459 474 506 1,042 707Others 97 134 139 140 107 81 78 55 55 46 67

All femalesPopulation in custody of which: 1,555 1,580 1,804 1,998 2,305 2,672 3,120 3,207 3,355 3,713 4,394


Population in police cells 19 – – – – – – – – – –Prisoners on remand 378 402 491 495 546 587 735 752 669 773 998

Untried 274 293 350 337 404 429 426 431 399 450 526Convicted unsentenced 104 109 141 158 142 158 309 321 270 323 472

Prisoners under sentence 1,175 1,149 1,289 1,482 1,732 2,066 2,367 2,436 2,666 2,899 3,339Young offenders 139 156 139 183 252 251 309 318 377 391 487Detention in a young offender

institution/Detention & trainingorder 132 146 133 175 246 241 304 309 370 381 474


In default of payment of a fine 3 6 1 3 1 1 – 1 – – –Adults 1,036 993 1,150 1,299 1,480 1,815 2,058 2,118 2,289 2,508 2,852Life 92 101 106 108 119 128 132 142 145 152 152Immediate imprisonment (excl.

life) 924 874 1,022 1,168 1,357 1,685 1,925 1,972 2,137 2,354 2,697In default of payment of a fine 20 18 22 23 4 2 1 4 7 2 3Non-criminal prisoners 2 29 24 21 27 19 18 19 20 41 57Held under the 1971 Immigration

Act 2 24 20 17 20 19 18 16 18 39 52Others – 5 4 4 7 – – 3 2 2 5

(1) Includes police cells.

21

Table 1.5 Population in prison under sentence by offence, type of establishment and sex

England and Wales, 30 June 2002Males Number of persons

OffenceAll typesof estab-

Remandcentres

JuvenileRemand

Localprisons

Trainingprisons

Young offenderinstitutions

lishmentOpen Closed Open Closed Juvenile

All offences 53,967 1,008 223 16,339 3,794 25,455 357 4,672 2,119Offences with immediate

custodial sentence 53,936 1,008 223 16,316 3,791 25,450 357 4,672 2,119Violence against the person 11,668 184 41 2,732 964 6,321 74 988 363

Murder 3,464 7 1 383 369 2,599 – 87 18Manslaughter 676 4 2 116 50 437 3 51 12Other homicide and

attempted homicide 982 16 3 250 108 500 8 78 20Wounding 4,741 113 17 1,276 350 2,107 60 598 219Assaults 666 26 9 333 46 130 3 74 47Cruelty to children 62 – – 36 1 25 – 1 –Other offences of violence

against the person 1,076 19 9 339 41 523 – 98 49Sexual offences 5,283 23 7 1,274 44 3,717 – 159 58

Buggery and indecencybetween males 361 – – 86 5 270 – – –

Rape 2,918 13 4 610 32 2,115 – 119 24Gross indecency with

children 851 5 1 203 5 625 – 3 8Other sexual offences 1,154 5 2 374 2 708 – 37 26

Burglary 8,922 209 41 3,110 399 3,747 86 893 437Robbery 7,197 148 67 1,549 238 3,525 66 1,082 521Theft and handling 4,282 147 33 2,045 401 938 24 393 302

Taking and driving away 724 52 19 241 17 112 6 135 143Other thefts 2,961 84 12 1,563 282 651 16 222 132Handling stolen goods 598 11 3 240 103 175 3 36 27

Fraud and forgery 917 8 – 308 388 190 2 19 3Frauds 877 7 – 290 377 180 2 18 3Forgery 41 1 – 18 11 10 – 1 –

Drugs offences 8,724 57 4 2,198 712 5,284 35 375 58Other offences 5,941 208 30 2,622 582 1,523 62 613 301

Arson 570 22 – 158 24 295 1 44 27Criminal damage 311 17 7 148 11 62 7 34 25In charge or driving under

the influence of drugs 314 6 1 187 79 24 – 13 5Other motoring offences 1,975 75 5 1,102 189 263 19 226 95Drunkenness 27 – – 22 4 1 – 1 –Blackmail 97 – – 23 6 56 1 12 –Kidnapping 212 5 1 49 7 127 – 19 4Affray 436 19 3 167 40 83 13 77 33Violent disorder 240 8 3 53 26 56 13 61 21Perjury/libel/pervert the

course of justice 187 6 1 76 31 57 3 9 4Threatening/disorderly

behaviour 140 6 1 71 8 25 2 13 15Breach of court order 365 20 8 188 14 62 2 42 30Other 1,067 25 1 379 143 412 2 63 41

Offence not recorded 1,002 24 – 478 62 205 8 149 76In default of payment of a fine 31 – – 23 3 5 – – –

22

Table 1.5 Population in prison under sentence by offence, type of establishment and sex

England and Wales, 30 June 2002Females Number of persons

OffenceAll typesof estab-

Remandcentres

JuvenileRemand

Localprisons

Trainingprisons

Young offenderinstitutions

lishmentOpen Closed Open Closed Juvenile

All offences 3,339 – – 615 465 1,858 45 242 113Offences with immediate

custodial sentence 3,336 – – 614 465 1,856 45 242 113Violence against the person 534 – – 93 52 304 5 53 27

Murder 128 – – 16 16 87 – 7 2Manslaughter 54 – – 8 6 37 – 2 1Other homicide and

attempted homicide 52 – – 9 5 35 1 3 –Wounding 188 – – 31 22 85 4 29 19Assaults 51 – – 13 2 25 – 8 4Cruelty to children 27 – – 12 – 14 – 1 –Other offences of violence

against the person 34 – – 5 2 22 – 4 1Sexual offences 22 – – 5 2 14 – 1 –

Buggery and indecencybetween males – – – – – – – – –

Rape 5 – – 1 – 3 – 1 –Gross indecency with

children 5 – – 1 – 4 – – –Other sexual offences 12 – – 3 2 7 – – –

Burglary 230 – – 66 23 107 6 22 5Robbery 310 – – 52 32 153 13 35 24Theft and handling 462 – – 128 53 214 6 41 20

Taking and driving away 1 – – – – 1 – – –Other thefts 407 – – 117 43 188 5 35 19Handling stolen goods 53 – – 11 10 25 1 6 1

Fraud and forgery 122 – – 29 36 53 – 3 1Frauds 117 – – 28 36 49 – 3 1Forgery 5 – – 1 – 4 – – –

Drugs offences 1,331 – – 164 232 847 13 58 17Other offences 257 – – 55 29 135 1 23 14

Arson 58 – – 16 2 38 – 2 1Criminal damage 14 – – 2 1 7 – 3 1In charge or driving under

the influence of drugs 7 – – 3 1 3 – – –Other motoring offences 23 – – 7 6 9 – 1 –Drunkenness – – – – – – – – –Blackmail 5 – – – – 5 – – –Kidnapping 8 – – 1 1 2 – 2 2Affray 13 – – 2 1 3 – 5 2Violent disorder 8 – – 1 2 4 – 1 –Perjury/libel/pervert the

course of justice 16 – – 1 4 8 – 2 1Threatening/disorderly

behaviour 3 – – – – 1 – 2 –Breach of court order 42 – – 12 2 21 1 2 4Other 60 – – 11 9 35 – 3 3

Offence not recorded 69 – – 23 5 29 1 5 6In default of payment of a fine 3 – – 1 – 2 – – –

23

Table 1.6 Population in prison under sentence by offence group and length of sentence


Offence group Length of sentence

AUR ACR

Allsentencelengths

Up toand

including3 months

Over3 months

up toand

including6 months

Over6 monthsless than

12 months 12 months

Over12 monthsup to andincluding18 months

Over18 months

up toand

including3 years

All offences 53,967 1,574 3,565 2,070 1,693 3,509 11,147

Offences with immediatecustodial sentence 53,936 1,555 3,562 2,070 1,693 3,507 11,146Violence against the person 11,668 190 485 317 295 651 1,661Rape 2,918 7 2 2 – 8 45Other sexual offences 2,365 10 23 41 86 134 561Burglary 8,922 107 301 366 338 876 3,262Robbery 7,197 85 54 62 122 240 1,363Theft and handling 4,282 495 951 555 262 466 961Fraud and forgery 917 38 108 68 54 112 274Drugs offences 8,724 43 68 96 120 273 1,631Other offences 5,941 548 1,498 442 321 589 1,111Offence not recorded 1,002 32 71 122 97 158 277

In default of payment of a fine 31 19 3 – – 2 2

Table 1.6 (continued) Population in prison under sentence by offence group and length of sentence



ACR DCR

Over3 years

less than4 years 4 years

Over4 yearsup toand

including5 years

Over5 yearsup toand

including10 years

Over10 yearsless than

life Life

All offences 4,121 3,502 5,417 9,773 2,614 4,982Offences with immediate

custodial sentence 4,120 3,502 5,414 9,772 2,614 4,982Violence against the person 528 549 877 1,595 392 4,129Rape 32 72 181 1,495 588 486Other sexual offences 108 255 291 690 117 49Burglary 1,194 575 1,014 829 45 14Robbery 760 735 1,138 2,019 479 140Theft and handling 230 103 129 121 5 5Fraud and forgery 61 64 60 72 6 1Drugs offences 903 865 1,340 2,494 888 5Other offences 243 243 323 389 85 148Offence not recorded 62 41 60 68 9 5

In default of payment of a fine 1 – 3 2 – –

The components do not always add to the totals because they have been rounded independently.

24




AUR ACR

Allsentencelengths

Up toand

including3 months

Over3 months

up toand

including6 months


12 months 12 months


Over18 months

up toand

including3 years

All offences 3,339 164 261 185 142 270 737

Offences with immediatecustodial sentence 3,336 164 260 185 142 269 736Violence against the person 534 24 28 31 23 38 92Rape 5 – – – – – –Other sexual offences 17 – – 1 – 1 6Burglary 230 3 6 12 19 39 103Robbery 310 4 5 7 5 31 131Theft and handling 462 81 133 84 31 43 64Fraud and forgery 122 13 18 12 14 21 26Drugs offences 1,331 7 12 15 23 59 243Other offences 257 28 48 17 15 23 55Offence not recorded 69 4 10 7 12 14 17

In default of payment of a fine 3 – 1 – – 1 1




ACR DCR

Over3 years


Over4 yearsup toand

including5 years

Over5 yearsup toand

including10 years


life Life

All offences 245 196 324 539 111 165

Offences with immediatecustodial sentence 245 196 324 539 111 165Violence against the person 21 23 38 55 12 149Rape – 1 – 2 2 –Other sexual offences – – 4 3 2 –Burglary 19 8 13 8 – –Robbery 34 35 38 16 2 2Theft and handling 8 7 7 3 – –Fraud and forgery 6 2 5 5 – –Drugs offences 142 106 207 428 91 –Other offences 14 11 11 17 2 15Offence not recorded 1 3 – 2 – –

In default of payment of a fine – – – – – –


25


England and Wales, 30 June 2002Males and females Number of persons


AUR ACR

Allsentencelengths

Up toand

including3 months

Over3 months

up toand

including6 months


12 months 12 months


Over18 months

up toand

including3 years

All offences 57,306 1,738 3,826 2,255 1,835 3,779 11,885Offences with immediate

custodial sentence 57,272 1,719 3,822 2,255 1,835 3,776 11,882Violence against the person 12,202 214 513 348 318 689 1,753Rape 2,923 7 2 2 - 8 45Other sexual offences 2,382 10 23 42 86 135 567Burglary 9,151 109 307 378 357 915 3,365Robbery 7,506 88 59 69 127 272 1,494Theft and handling 4,744 576 1,085 640 293 508 1,025Fraud and forgery 1,040 52 126 79 68 133 300Drugs offences 10,055 50 80 111 143 332 1,874Other offences 6,197 576 1,547 460 336 612 1,166Offence not recorded 1,071 36 81 128 109 172 294

In default of payment of a fine 34 19 4 – – 3 3




ACR DCR

Over3 years


Over4 yearsup toand

including5 years

Over5 yearsup toand

including10 years


life Life

All offences 4,366 3,698 5,741 10,312 2,724 5,147Offences with immediate

custodial sentence 4,365 3,698 5,738 10,310 2,724 5,147Violence against the person 549 573 915 1,650 404 4,277Rape 32 73 181 1,497 590 486Other sexual offences 108 255 295 693 119 49Burglary 1,213 583 1,027 837 45 14Robbery 794 769 1,176 2,035 481 142Theft and handling 238 110 136 124 5 5Fraud and forgery 67 66 65 77 6 1Drugs offences 1,044 971 1,547 2,921 978 5Other offences 257 254 335 406 87 163Offence not recorded 63 44 60 70 9 5

In default of payment of a fine 1 – 3 2 – –


26

Table 1.7 Population in prison under sentence by offence group and sex

England and Wales, 30 JuneMales and females Number of persons

Offence group 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001(r) 2002

All males and females 35,564 33,046 35,763 39,379 43,055 48,805 52,269 51,393 53,180 54,212 57,306

Offences with immediate custodialsentence(1) 35,182 32,500 35,226 38,863 42,914 48,674 52,159 51,293 53,093 54,169 57,272

Violence against the person 7,077 7,489 7,992 8,781 9,585 10,424 10,944 10,858 11,217 11,744 12,202Rape 1,584 1,594 1,639 1,783 1,929 2,083 2,373 2,576 2,702 2,766 2,923Other sexual offences 1,572 1,586 1,640 1,885 2,022 1,994 2,422 2,370 2,388 2,341 2,382Burglary 5,400 4,729 5,135 5,953 6,422 8,077 8,656 8,780 8,982 8,570 9,151Robbery 4,230 4,933 5,185 5,372 5,715 6,438 6,626 6,331 6,353 6,784 7,506Theft and handling 3,100 2,785 3,257 3,729 3,905 4,263 4,492 4,411 5,044 4,799 4,744Fraud and forgery 853 890 944 1,167 1,218 1,225 1,199 1,104 1,016 1,071 1,040Drugs offences 3,158 3,208 3,512 4,256 5,755 7,174 7,893 8,169 8,473 9,148 10,055Other offences 3,615 3,418 3,960 4,306 4,836 5,236 5,425 5,398 6,051 6,048 6,197Offence not recorded 4,593 1,868 1,962 1,631 1,527 1,760 2,129 1,296 866 898 1,071

In default of payment of a fine 382 546 537 516 141 131 110 100 87 43 34

All males all offences 34,389 31,897 34,474 37,897 41,323 46,739 49,902 48,957 50,514 51,313 53,967


Violence against the person 6,893 7,273 7,715 8,491 9,230 10,033 10,524 10,429 10,807 11,301 11,668Rape 1,582 1,593 1,638 1,781 1,926 2,080 2,369 2,571 2,698 2,760 2,918Other sexual offences 1,564 1,572 1,629 1,875 2,013 1,989 2,410 2,358 2,372 2,322 2,365Burglary 5,349 4,690 5,096 5,896 6,342 7,976 8,538 8,622 8,824 8,416 8,922Robbery 4,174 4,856 5,090 5,264 5,591 6,277 6,449 6,174 6,158 6,534 7,197Theft and handling 2,910 2,578 3,030 3,450 3,591 3,929 4,097 4,021 4,537 4,347 4,282Fraud and forgery 800 826 879 1,071 1,099 1,104 1,080 993 885 941 917Drugs offences 2,899 2,900 3,186 3,858 5,269 6,483 7,099 7,294 7,526 8,010 8,724Other offences 3,457 3,293 3,828 4,174 4,672 5,046 5,208 5,178 5,829 5,803 5,941Offence not recorded 4,402 1,794 1,869 1,547 1,454 1,694 2,019 1,222 797 838 1,002


All females all offences 1,175 1,149 1,289 1,482 1,732 2,066 2,367 2,436 2,666 2,899 3,339


Violence against the person 184 216 277 290 355 391 420 429 410 443 534Rape 2 1 1 2 3 3 4 5 4 6 5Other sexual offences 8 14 11 10 9 5 12 12 16 19 17Burglary 51 39 39 57 80 101 118 158 158 154 230Robbery 56 77 95 108 124 161 177 157 195 250 310Theft and handling 190 207 227 279 314 334 395 390 507 452 462Fraud and forgery 53 64 65 96 119 121 119 111 131 130 122Drugs offences 259 308 326 398 486 691 794 875 947 1,137 1,331Other offences 158 125 132 132 164 190 217 220 222 245 257Offence not recorded 191 74 93 84 73 66 110 74 69 61 69


(1) Figures for particular offence groups are understated because they do not include those for which the offences were not recorded,the numbers of which were particularly high for 1992.

27

Table 1.7a Population in prison under immediate custodial sentence on 30 June 2001 and 30 June 2002 byoffence group

England and WalesNumber of persons

30 June 30 JuneOffence Group 2001 2002 Change % change

Males Total (1) 50,434 52,934 2,500 5Violence Against the Person 11,301 11,668 367 3Sexual Offences 5,082 5,283 201 4Burglary 8,416 8,922 506 6Robbery 6,534 7,197 663 10Theft and Handling 4,347 4,282 −65 −1Fraud and Forgery 941 917 −23 −2Drugs Offences 8,010 8,724 714 9Motoring Offences 2,417 2,289 −128 −5Other Offences 3,386 3,652 266 8

Females Total (1) 2,836 3,267 431 15Violence Against the Person 443 534 92 21Sexual Offences 25 22 −3 −12Burglary 154 230 76 49Robbery 250 310 59 24Theft and Handling 452 462 9 2Fraud and Forgery 130 122 −8 −6Drugs Offences 1,137 1,331 193 17Other Offences (2) 245 257 12 5

(1) Totals exclude those held for offence not recorded and in default of payment of fine, see Table 1.7.(2) Includes motoring offences.

Table 1.7b Population in prison under sentence by principal drugs offence

England and Wales, 30 JuneEstimated number of persons(1)

Principle drugs offence 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

All drugs offences 3,150 3,200 3,500 4,250 5,750 7,150 7,900 8,150 8,450 9,150 10,050Unlawful supply 600 700 800 1,150 1,600 2,200 2,450 2,750 2,850 3,050 3,200Possession with intent to supply 850 950 1,100 1,300 1,700 2,400 2,500 2,350 2,400 2,500 2,550Possession 250 300 300 400 500 600 700 600 600 600 600Unlawful import/export 1,400 1,250 1,200 1,450 1,900 1,850 2,100 2,350 2,450 2,750 3,400Other drugs offences 50 50 50 100 100 150 200 150 100 300 300

(1) Rounded to the nearest 50.

28

Table 1.8 Population in prison under sentence(1) by length of sentence and sex


Length of sentence 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001(r) 2002

Males and FemalesAll offenders 35,564 33,046 35,763 39,379 43,055 48,805 52,269 51,392 53,180 54,212 57,306

AUR 5,509 5,769 6,488 7,065 7,099 7,535 7,720 7,479 8,879 8,573 7,819Up to and including 3 months 1,540 1,712 1,637 1,738 1,465 1,565 1,604 1,743 2,134 1,898 1,738Over 3 months including 6 months 2,081 2,109 2,791 3,117 3,258 3,495 3,605 3,546 4,340 4,336 3,826Over 6 months less than 12 months 1,888 1,948 2,060 2,210 2,376 2,475 2,511 2,190 2,405 2,340 2,255ACR 14,952 12,511 13,610 15,203 17,112 19,796 21,130 19,741 19,627 20,061 21,86512 months 1,801 1,730 1,730 1,889 1,982 1,913 2,031 1,711 1,825 1,840 1,835Over 12 months including 18 months 3,676 2,784 2,956 3,292 3,589 3,825 4,204 3,655 3,569 3,682 3,779Over 18 months including 3 years 8,259 6,846 7,638 8,592 9,891 11,656 12,057 11,198 10,816 10,817 11,885Over 3 years less than 4 years 1,216 1,151 1,286 1,430 1,650 2,402 2,838 3,177 3,417 3,722 4,366DCR inc Life 15,103 14,766 15,665 17,111 18,844 21,474 23,419 24,172 24,673 25,578 27,6234 years 2,138 2,129 2,238 2,518 2,904 3,506 3,802 3,589 3,344 3,412 3,698Over 4 years including 5 years 2,654 2,572 2,743 3,172 3,619 4,302 4,808 4,966 4,949 5,181 5,741Over 5 years including 10 years 5,912 5,575 5,960 6,515 7,103 8,014 8,724 9,114 9,341 9,627 10,312Over 10 years less than life 1,399 1,395 1,532 1,617 1,729 1,931 2,151 2,297 2,429 2,549 2,724Life 3,000 3,095 3,192 3,289 3,489 3,721 3,934 4,206 4,610 4,810 5,147

MalesAll offenders 34,389 31,897 34,474 37,897 41,323 46,739 49,902 48,956 50,514 51,313 53,967

AUR 5,282 5,466 6,178 6,698 6,660 7,044 7,177 6,952 8,215 7,973 7,209Up to and including 3 months 1,461 1,591 1,567 1,644 1,363 1,448 1,463 1,584 1,933 1,724 1,574Over 3 months including 6 months 2,004 2,015 2,652 2,969 3,087 3,287 3,375 3,313 4,050 4,073 3,565Over 6 months less than 12 months 1,817 1,860 1,959 2,085 2,210 2,309 2,339 2,055 2,232 2,176 2,070ACR 14,485 12,080 13,094 14,612 16,416 18,965 20,174 18,793 18,611 18,932 20,47112 months 1,727 1,647 1,648 1,801 1,866 1,817 1,894 1,560 1,692 1,706 1,693Over 12 months including 18 months 3,540 2,658 2,821 3,146 3,416 3,639 3,983 3,430 3,356 3,466 3,509Over 18 months including 3 years 8,027 6,645 7,373 8,277 9,532 11,180 11,550 10,740 10,294 10,189 11,147Over 3 years less than 4 years 1,191 1,130 1,252 1,388 1,602 2,329 2,747 3,063 3,269 3,571 4,121DCR inc Life 14,622 14,351 15,202 16,587 18,247 20,730 22,551 23,211 23,687 24,408 26,2884 years 2,068 2,077 2,158 2,432 2,812 3,371 3,644 3,421 3,189 3,233 3,502Over 4 years including 5 years 2,563 2,501 2,652 3,062 3,504 4,156 4,628 4,765 4,736 4,893 5,417Over 5 years including 10 years 5,710 5,408 5,802 6,327 6,873 7,735 8,394 8,742 8,952 9,176 9,773Over 10 years less than life 1,377 1,375 1,509 1,590 1,693 1,884 2,088 2,227 2,352 2,458 2,614Life 2,904 2,990 3,081 3,176 3,365 3,584 3,797 4,056 4,458 4,648 4,982

FemalesAll offenders 1,175 1,149 1,289 1,482 1,732 2,066 2,367 2,436 2,666 2,899 3,339

AUR 227 303 310 367 439 491 543 527 664 600 610Up to and including 3 months 79 121 70 94 102 117 141 159 201 174 164Over 3 months including 6 months 77 94 139 148 171 208 230 233 290 263 261Over 6 months less than 12 months 71 88 101 125 166 166 172 135 173 164 185ACR 467 431 516 591 696 831 956 948 1,016 1,129 1,39412 months 74 83 82 88 116 96 137 151 133 134 142Over 12 months including 18 months 136 126 135 146 173 186 221 225 213 216 270Over 18 months including 3 years 232 201 265 315 359 476 507 458 522 628 737Over 3 years less than 4 years 25 21 34 42 48 73 91 114 148 151 245DCR inc Life 481 415 463 524 597 744 868 961 986 1,170 1,3354 years 70 52 80 86 92 135 158 168 155 178 196Over 4 years including 5 years 91 71 91 110 115 146 180 201 213 288 324Over 5 years including 10 years 202 167 158 188 230 279 330 372 389 452 539Over 10 years less than life 22 20 23 27 36 47 63 70 77 90 111Life 96 105 111 113 124 137 137 150 152 162 165

(1) Including persons imprisoned or detained in default of payment of a fine.

29

Table 1.9 Population in prison under sentence(1) by age and sex

England and Wales, 30 JuneMales and females

Age in years 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001(r) 2002

All males and females Number of persons15-17 729 769 840 988 1,319 1,673 1,689 1,710 1,851 1,965 2,08318-20 3,982 3,947 4,049 4,316 4,484 5,257 6,017 5,857 6,171 6,177 6,15421-24 7,845 6,683 7,157 7,542 8,004 9,062 9,205 8,672 9,158 9,519 10,37325-29 8,178 7,489 7,999 8,721 9,302 10,619 11,091 10,571 10,623 10,555 10,86930-39 8,854 8,265 9,336 10,635 12,051 13,428 14,818 14,870 15,316 15,440 16,43740-49 3,984 3,839 4,194 4,687 5,057 5,467 5,817 5,853 6,055 6,471 7,05850-59 1,538 1,604 1,652 1,887 2,128 2,462 2,724 2,786 2,852 2,850 2,95560 and over 454 450 536 603 710 837 908 1,073 1,154 1,235 1,376

All ages 35,564 33,046 35,763 39,379 43,055 48,805 52,269 51,392 53,180 54,212 57,306

Percentage15-17 2.0 2.3 2.3 2.5 3.1 3.4 3.2 3.3 3.5 3.6 3.618-20 11.2 11.9 11.3 11.0 10.4 10.8 11.5 11.4 11.6 11.4 10.721-24 22.1 20.2 20.0 19.2 18.6 18.6 17.6 16.9 17.2 17.6 18.125-29 23.0 22.7 22.4 22.1 21.6 21.8 21.2 20.6 20.0 19.5 19.030-39 24.9 25.0 26.1 27.0 28.0 27.5 28.3 28.9 28.8 28.5 28.740-49 11.2 11.6 11.7 11.9 11.7 11.2 11.1 11.4 11.4 11.9 12.350-59 4.3 4.9 4.6 4.8 4.9 5.0 5.2 5.4 5.4 5.3 5.260 and over 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.7 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4

All ages 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

All males Number of persons15-17 711 754 813 957 1,262 1,620 1,627 1,643 1,786 1,901 1,98018-20 3,881 3,830 3,944 4,187 4,315 5,092 5,807 5,633 5,906 5,866 5,79921-24 7,667 6,490 6,919 7,305 7,739 8,685 8,780 8,245 8,700 9,039 9,78825-29 7,904 7,233 7,704 8,390 8,928 10,162 10,590 10,080 10,060 9,967 10,19830-39 8,476 7,932 8,954 10,184 11,507 12,801 14,109 14,072 14,454 14,533 15,40040-49 3,818 3,673 4,019 4,460 4,826 5,189 5,485 5,552 5,720 6,062 6,62350-59 1,490 1,543 1,599 1,827 2,047 2,370 2,608 2,678 2,750 2,729 2,82160 and over 442 442 522 587 699 820 896 1,053 1,138 1,215 1,359

All ages 34,389 31,897 34,474 37,897 41,323 46,739 49,902 48,956 50,514 51,313 53,967


All ages 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

All females Number of persons15-17 18 15 27 31 57 53 62 67 65 64 10318-20 101 117 105 129 169 165 210 224 265 310 35521-24 178 193 238 237 265 377 425 427 458 480 58525-29 274 256 295 331 374 457 501 491 563 588 67130-39 378 333 382 451 544 627 709 798 862 907 1,03840-49 166 166 175 227 231 278 332 301 335 409 43550-59 48 61 53 60 81 92 116 108 102 121 13460 and over 12 8 14 16 11 17 12 20 16 19 18

All ages 1,175 1,149 1,289 1,482 1,732 2,066 2,367 2,436 2,666 2,899 3,339


All ages 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

(1) Including persons committed in default of payment of a fine.

30

Table 1.10 Receptions into prison by type of custody and sex

England and WalesMales and females Number of persons

Type of custody 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

Males

Untried 47,501 50,918 54,157 52,347 55,545 58,092 60,157 59,985 50,866 49,345 53,745

Convicted unsentenced 20,051 28,593 32,751 30,261 32,993 33,988 39,945 41,958 40,116 42,502 47,851

Under sentence 66,630 69,312 79,251 84,342 78,390 81,949 85,107 86,934 86,516 84,674 87,008

Young offenders 16,941 15,973 17,570 18,400 17,727 18,427 19,071 20,145 20,293 19,828 19,011Young offender institution 12,691 12,423 14,058 15,318 16,328 17,325 18,039 19,340 19,620 19,261 18,310Section 91 PCC(S) (excl. life)(1) 107 327 357 333 494 499 442 379 400 373 530Life (including Section 90 and custody forlife) 32 36 32 29 59 66 47 68 66 65 64In default of payment of a fine 4,111 3,187 3,123 2,720 846 537 543 358 207 129 107

Adults 49,689 53,339 61,681 65,942 60,663 63,522 66,036 66,789 66,223 64,846 67,997Immediate imprisonment (excl. life) 34,828 35,240 43,608 49,645 53,147 57,798 61,180 63,239 63,696 63,163 66,543Life 190 189 181 230 268 297 351 396 407 430 448In default of payment of a fine 14,671 17,910 17,892 16,067 7,248 5,427 4,505 3,154 2,120 1,253 1,006

Non-criminal 2,968 4,756 4,217 3,611 2,994 3,063 3,196 3,178 3,076 4,529 2,534Held under 1971 Immigration Act 1,221 1,773 1,593 1,776 1,810 2,051 2,283 2,380 2,408 3,961 1,988Others 1,747 2,983 2,624 1,835 1,184 1,012 913 798 668 568 546

Females

Untried 2,368 2,647 2,922 2,940 3,343 3,974 4,540 4,587 4,026 4,122 4,954

Convicted unsentenced 1,199 1,505 1,812 1,778 1,994 2,436 3,442 3,935 3,773 4,349 5,450

Under sentence 3,202 3,654 4,406 4,831 4,471 5,219 6,175 7,031 7,155 7,304 7,799

Young offenders 515 585 654 690 751 871 1,096 1,241 1,245 1,279 1,335Young offender institution 339 406 492 544 700 830 1,064 1,224 1,220 1,255 1,298Section 91 PCC(S) (excl. life)(1) 5 8 16 17 11 18 6 5 12 12 29Life (including Section 90 and custody forlife) – 5 1 3 1 5 1 4 4 3 5In default of payment of a fine 171 166 145 126 39 18 25 8 9 9 3

Adults 2,687 3,069 3,752 4,141 3,720 4,348 5,079 5,790 5,910 6,025 6,464Immediate imprisonment (excl. life) 1,800 1,916 2,435 2,879 3,288 3,978 4,764 5,568 5,752 5,947 6,732Life 14 13 8 18 10 16 14 15 18 14 16In default of payment of a fine 873 1,140 1,309 1,244 422 354 301 207 140 64 76

Non-criminal 141 317 290 178 134 141 94 93 77 101 140Held under 1971 Immigration Act 51 64 48 49 47 71 65 63 47 74 105Others 90 253 242 129 87 70 29 30 30 27 35

(1) Persons detained under Section 91 of the Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000.

31

Table 1.11 Receptions and population under sentence in prison by court sentencing


Court sentencing(1) 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

Receptions

All receptions 69,832 72,996 83,657 89,173 82,861 87,168 91,282 93,965 93,671 91,978 94,808

Crown Court 32,732 29,189 31,133 34,996 40,063 42,424 42,254 41,853 40,738 39,883 41,474Young offenders 7,592 6,149 6,072 6,839 8,704 9,412 9,163 9,356 11,036 8,512 8,625Adults 24,865 22,892 24,971 28,070 31,300 32,961 33,048 32,463 29,686 31,355 32,842In default of payment of a fine 275 148 90 87 59 51 43 34 16 16 7

Magistrates’ courts 36,962 43,625 52,339 53,981 42,628 44,509 48,910 52,000 52,831 52,018 53,148Young offenders 5,568 7,038 8,864 9,380 8,870 9,301 10,428 11,655 15,312 12,442 11,570Adults 11,899 14,396 21,133 24,566 25,286 28,945 33,172 36,675 35,068 38,137 40,393In default of payment of a fine 19,495 22,191 22,342 20,035 8,472 6,263 5,310 3,670 2,451 1,439 1,185

Other courts 138 152 185 196 170 235 118 112 102 77 74Young offenders 14 18 20 25 19 30 8 9 33 15 11Adults 68 70 128 136 127 183 89 80 60 62 63In default of payment of a fine 56 64 37 35 24 22 21 23 9 – –

Not recorded – – – – – – – – – – 112Young offenders – – – – – – – – – – 30Adults – – – – – – – – – – 82In default of payment of a fine – – – – – – – – – – –

Population at 30 June

Total population 35,564 33,046 35,763 39,379 43,055 48,805 52,269 51,392 53,180 54,212 57,306

Crown Court 30,835 29,372 31,001 34,613 37,975 43,437 46,650 45,748 44,759 43,561 46,727Young offenders 4,151 3,851 3,829 4,539 5,220 6,496 7,132 6,923 6,667 5,902 6,040Adults 26,667 25,500 27,163 30,057 32,747 36,931 39,509 38,808 38,077 37,642 40,671In default of payment of a fine 17 21 9 17 8 10 9 17 15 17 16

Magistrates’ courts 3,114 3,504 4,603 4,534 4,858 5,084 5,525 5,515 8,014 10,650 10,579Young offenders 937 1,124 1,363 1,208 1,319 1,370 1,357 1,372 1,788 2,805 2,815Adults 1,941 1,930 2,775 2,917 3,437 3,634 4,075 4,077 6,173 7,820 7,746In default of payment of a fine 236 450 465 409 102 80 93 66 53 25 18

Other courts 14 21 21 23 12 49 22 22 126 – –Young offenders 5 2 3 3 2 19 1 2 40 – –Adults 8 15 17 20 10 30 21 17 85 – –In default of payment of a fine 1 4 1 – – – – 3 1 – –

Not recorded 1,601 149 138 209 210 235 72 107 281 1 1Young offenders 397 3 7 17 59 49 20 32 35 – –Adults 1,076 75 69 102 120 145 44 62 228 – –In default of payment of a fine 128 71 62 90 31 41 8 13 18 1 1

(1) Type of court originally awarding a custodial sentence; further sentences may have been awarded at a different court.

32

Table 1.12 Receptions into prison under sentence: by type of prisoner and length of sentence


Type of prisoner 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

All sentenced prisoners 69,832 72,966 83,657 89,173 82,861 87,168 91,282 93,965 93,671 91,978 94,807

Immediate custodial sentence 50,006 50,563 61,188 69,016 74,306 80,832 85,908 90,238 91,195 90,523 93,615

Less than 12 months 26,626 29,917 38,717 44,361 46,149 50,569 55,455 59,992 61,398 60,380 60,761Up to and including 3 months 10,292 10,968 15,020 18,505 19,378 22,187 25,064 27,688 26,870 25,753 25,943Over 3 months including 6 months 10,484 12,933 17,014 18,661 19,574 20,855 22,558 24,670 26,354 26,613 26,743Over 6 months up to 12 months 5,850 6,016 6,683 7,195 7,197 7,527 7,833 7,634 8,174 8,014 8,07512 months to less than 4 years 18,835 16,355 18,067 19,721 22,057 23,495 24,021 23,655 23,167 22,972 24,66812 months 4,369 4,076 4,355 4,488 4,554 4,630 4,667 4,587 4,639 4,577 4,668Over 12 months including 18 months 5,736 4,764 5,187 5,572 6,126 6,421 6,687 6,573 6,310 6,077 6,567Over 18 months including 3 years 8,010 6,875 7,738 8,744 10,169 10,925 10,893 10,610 10,167 10,124 10,837Over 3 years less than 4 years 720 640 787 917 1,208 1,519 1,774 1,885 2,051 2,194 2,5964 years or more 4,545 4,291 4,404 4,934 6,100 6,768 6,432 6,591 6,630 7,171 8,1864 years 1,223 1,101 1,101 1,279 1,655 1,782 1,612 1,568 1,588 1,648 1,908Over 4 years including 5 years 1,001 1,091 1,092 1,363 1,588 1,815 1,752 1,777 1,857 1,993 2,314Over 5 years including 10 years 1,834 1,642 1,732 1,736 2,155 2,381 2,236 2,351 2,323 2,632 2,952Over 10 years less than life 251 214 257 276 364 406 419 412 371 386 479Life 236 243 222 280 338 384 413 483 491 512 533

Young offenders 13,174 13,205 14,956 16,244 17,593 18,743 19,599 21,020 21,333 20,969 20,236Less than 12 months 8,055 8,867 10,520 11,308 11,285 11,867 12,942 14,330 14,639 14,234 12,891Up to and including 3 months 2,922 2,986 3,721 4,185 4,154 4,641 5,342 6,197 5,162 4,394 4,066Over 3 months including 6 months 3,373 3,984 4,592 4,843 4,910 5,050 5,397 5,984 7,089 7,357 6,479Over 6 months up to 12 months 1,760 1,897 2,207 2,280 2,221 2,176 2,203 2,149 2,388 2,483 2,34612 months to less than 4 years 4,610 3,815 3,921 4,393 5,497 5,949 5,921 5,904 5,877 5,856 6,35512 months 1,371 1,213 1,204 1,225 1,256 1,273 1,251 1,216 1,464 1,534 1,597Over 12 months including 18 months 1,433 1,034 1,015 1,250 1,615 1,753 1,772 1,792 1,732 1,707 1,890Over 18 months including 3 years 1,718 1,460 1,556 1,763 2,385 2,618 2,565 2,545 2,286 2,222 2,427Over 3 years less than 4 years 88 108 146 155 241 305 333 351 395 393 4414 years or more 509 523 515 543 811 927 736 786 817 879 9904 years 180 184 180 211 287 331 255 275 275 280 311Over 4 years including 5 years 116 143 124 171 249 270 210 229 259 276 318Over 5 years including 10 years 166 148 169 126 192 234 204 201 211 242 276Over 10 years less than life 15 7 9 3 23 21 19 9 12 13 16Life 32 41 33 32 60 71 48 72 60 68 69

Adults 36,832 37,358 46,232 52,772 56,713 62,089 66,309 69,218 69,862 69,554 73,379Less than 12 months 18,571 21,050 28,197 33,053 34,864 38,702 42,513 45,662 46,759 46,146 47,870Up to and including 3 months 7,370 7,982 11,299 14,320 15,224 17,546 19,722 21,491 21,708 21,359 21,877Over 3 months including 6 months 7,111 8,949 12,422 13,818 14,664 15,805 17,161 18,686 19,265 19,256 20,264Over 6 months up to 12 months 4,090 4,119 4,476 4,915 4,976 5,351 5,630 5,485 5,786 5,531 5,72912 months to less than 4 years 14,225 12,540 14,146 15,328 16,560 17,546 18,100 17,751 17,290 17,116 18,31312 months 2,998 2,863 3,151 3,263 3,298 3,357 3,416 3,371 3,175 3,043 3,071Over 12 months including 18 months 4,303 3,730 4,172 4,322 4,511 4,668 4,915 4,781 4,578 4,370 4,677Over 18 months including 3 years 6,292 5,415 6,182 6,981 7,784 8,307 8,328 8,065 7,881 7,902 8,410Over 3 years less than 4 years 632 532 641 762 967 1,214 1,441 1,534 1,656 1,801 2,1554 years or more 4,036 3,768 3,889 4,391 5,289 5,841 5,696 5,805 5,813 6,292 7,1964 years 1,043 917 921 1,068 1,368 1,451 1,357 1,293 1,313 1,368 1,597Over 4 years including 5 years 885 948 968 1,192 1,339 1,545 1,542 1,548 1,598 1,717 1,996Over 5 years including 10 years 1,668 1,494 1,563 1,610 1,963 2,147 2,032 2,150 2,112 2,390 2,676Over 10 years less than life 236 207 248 273 341 385 400 403 359 373 463Life 204 202 189 248 278 313 365 411 431 444 464

In default of payment of a fine(1) 19,826 22,403 22,469 20,157 8,555 6,336 5,374 3,727 2,476 1,455 1,192

Young offenders 4,282 3,353 3,268 2,846 885 555 568 366 216 138 110Up to 1 month 3,844 2,905 2,914 2,598 815 483 507 331 190 118 101Over 1 month up to 3 months 381 415 332 238 64 64 60 33 22 14 7Over 3 months up to 6 months 37 28 22 10 6 8 1 2 4 6 2Over 6 months 20 5 – – – – – – – – –

Adults 15,544 19,050 19,201 17,311 7,670 5,781 4,806 3,361 2,260 1,317 1,082Up to 1 month 13,818 16,566 16,745 15,405 6,935 5,126 4,281 2,957 1,984 1,169 947Over 1 month up to 3 months 1,529 2,279 2,312 1,811 696 627 512 370 245 130 113Over 3 months up to 6 months 124 146 144 90 39 28 13 34 31 18 22Over 6 months 73 59 – 5 – – – – – – –

(1) Period imposed in default.

33

Table 1.13 Fine defaulters: prison population, receptions and estimated average time spent in prison by sex

England and Wales 30 JuneFine defaulters Numbers/days

1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

Population at 30 JuneAll fine defaulters 382 546 537 516 141 131 110 99 87 43 34

Males 359 522 514 490 136 128 109 94 80 41 31Females 23 24 23 26 5 3 1 5 7 2 3

Total sentenced population 35,564 33,046 35,763 39,379 43,055 48,805 52,269 51,392 53,180 54,212 57,306

Fine defaulters as a percentage of totalsentenced population (%) 1.1 1.7 1.5 1.3 0.3 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.1

Population serving sentences ofimprisonment of 6 months or less(1) 3,621 3,821 4,428 4,855 4,723 5,060 5,209 5,289 6,474 6,417 5,564

Fine defaulters as a percentage ofpopulation serving sentences ofimprisonment of 6 months or less 10.5 14.3 12.1 10.6 3.0 2.6 2.1 1.9 1.3 0.7 0.6

ReceptionsAll fine defaulters 19,826 22,403 22,469 20,157 8,555 6,336 5,374 3,727 2,476 1,455 1,192

Males 18,782 21,097 21,015 18,787 8,094 5,964 5,048 3,512 2,327 1,382 1,113Females 1,044 1,306 1,454 1,370 461 372 326 215 149 73 79All receptions under sentence 69,832 72,966 83,657 89,173 82,861 87,168 91,282 93,965 93,671 91,978 94,807Fine defaulters as a percentage of all

receptions under sentence 28.4 30.7 26.9 22.6 10.3 7.3 5.9 4.0 2.6 1.6 1.3All receptions under sentence of

imprisonment of 6 months or less(1) 40,509 46,240 54,503 57,318 47,507 49,408 52,996 56,085 55,699 53,821 53,878Fine defaulters as a percentage of all

receptions serving sentences ofimprisonment of 6 months or less 48.9 48.4 41.2 35.2 18.0 12.8 10.1 6.6 4.4 2.7 2.2

Average time served (days)(2)

Males 7(3) 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 10 10Females 7(3) 6 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 6 6

(1) Excludes detention centre trainees; includes youth custody trainees and persons sentenced to detention in a young offender institution.(2) Excluding those remaining in custody as fine defaulters on completion of a custodial sentence for a criminal offence.(3) January to June.

34

Table 1.14 Receptions of fine defaulters into prison by age, offence group and sex

England and WalesMales Number of persons

Offence group 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

All ages 18 and over 18,782 21,097 21,015 18,787 8,094 5,964 5,048 3,512 2,327 1,380 1,113Violence against the person 1,247 1,446 1,203 1,040 454 331 317 189 119 87 57Sexual offences 29 27 13 17 11 8 6 5 4 2 –Burglary/Robbery 1,318 1,440 1,109 899 338 232 171 86 71 40 33Theft and handling 3,335 3,802 3,189 2,738 1,076 733 664 402 256 159 121Fraud and forgery 598 602 548 406 179 131 109 76 39 29 24Drug Offences(2) – – – – – – – – 81 53 33Drunkenness 540 633 486 417 216 188 164 110 93 40 28Motoring offences 6,139 8,141 7,383 6,789 2,976 2,263 1,794 1,170 640 392 239Using a TV without a licence 405 547 487 493 238 171 104 56 24 21 12Other offences 3,759 4,377 3,950 3,584 1,699 1,308 1,107 757 463 213 183Offence not recorded 1,412 82 2,647 2,404 907 599 612 661 537 344 383

Aged under 21(1) 4,111 3,187 3,123 2,720 846 537 543 358 207 129 107Violence against the person 255 231 216 184 53 34 36 21 15 12 6Sexual offences 3 3 1 1 1 – 1 – 1 – –Burglary/Robbery 497 415 278 225 67 32 30 20 12 6 6Theft and handling 961 752 605 457 156 76 90 44 22 20 15Fraud and forgery 52 31 30 27 7 4 5 4 4 2 3Drug Offences(1) – – – – – – – – 5 3 –Drunkenness 62 55 49 36 24 15 19 10 5 4 2Motoring offences 1,055 973 851 777 236 163 134 89 50 38 20Using a TV without a licence 10 8 4 7 3 – – 1 – – –Other offences 850 707 584 540 169 111 137 100 55 24 20Offence not recorded 366 12 505 466 130 102 91 69 38 20 35

Aged 21-29 9,369 11,284 10,895 9,549 4,116 2,996 2,344 1,588 1,093 595 486Violence against the person 699 809 625 537 235 172 163 82 58 30 25Sexual offences 15 8 9 6 4 5 1 4 – – –Burglary/Robbery 625 767 631 508 200 147 110 41 37 27 17Theft and handling 1,622 2,042 1,676 1,439 552 395 333 213 138 73 63Fraud and forgery 271 284 244 168 75 54 34 31 14 9 9Drug Offences(1) – – – – – – – – 39 23 15Drunkenness 191 248 164 147 79 69 58 34 20 6 6Motoring offences 3,187 4,516 4,005 3,576 1,569 1,163 879 547 293 165 122Using a TV without a licence 159 188 168 164 86 61 35 21 12 7 3Other offences 1,950 2,383 2,071 1,855 870 655 477 333 214 95 73Offence not recorded 650 39 1,302 1,149 446 275 254 282 268 160 153

Aged 30 and over 5,302 6,626 6,997 6,518 3,132 2,431 2,161 1,566 1,027 658 521Violence against the person 293 406 362 319 166 125 118 86 46 45 26Sexual offences 11 16 3 10 6 3 4 1 3 2 –Burglary/Robbery 196 258 200 166 71 53 31 25 22 8 10Theft and handling 752 1,008 908 842 368 262 241 145 96 66 43Fraud and forgery 275 287 274 211 97 73 70 41 21 18 12Drug Offences(1) – – – – – – – – 37 27 18Drunkenness 287 330 273 234 113 104 87 66 68 30 20Motoring offences 1,897 2,652 2,527 2,436 1,171 937 781 534 297 189 97Using a TV without a licence 236 351 315 322 149 110 69 34 12 14 9Other offences 959 1,287 1,295 1,189 660 542 493 324 194 95 91Offence not recorded 396 31 840 789 331 222 267 310 231 164 195

(1) Application of court repossession order.

35

Table 1.14 Receptions of fine defaulters into prison by age, offence group and sex

England and WalesFemales Number of persons

Offence group 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

All ages 18 and over 1,044 1,306 1,454 1,370 461 372 326 215 149 73 79Violence against the person 59 60 73 54 21 20 29 15 3 5 2Sexual offences 1 – – – 1 – – – 1 1 –Burglary/Robbery 15 22 21 21 8 2 2 3 1 1 3Theft and handling 174 265 238 222 59 63 45 25 18 14 15Fraud and forgery 71 87 82 58 14 9 6 6 6 2 2Drug Offences(1) – – – – – – – – 7 1 –Drunkenness 27 24 17 25 5 9 6 2 2 – –Motoring offences 146 202 214 288 93 68 66 33 27 15 16Using a TV without a licence 163 278 243 235 89 61 41 24 12 9 2Other offences 303 352 444 360 136 111 97 63 27 11 18Offence not recorded 95 16 122 107 35 29 34 44 45 14 21

Aged under 21(1) 171 166 145 126 39 18 25 8 9 9 3Violence against the person 14 11 16 10 3 3 5 1 – 2 –Sexual offences – – – – – – – – – – –Burglary/Robbery 8 4 3 5 3 1 1 – – – –Theft and handling 51 57 44 30 7 7 6 1 2 2 –Fraud and forgery 5 8 8 11 2 – – – – – –Drug Offences(1) – – – – – – – – 1 – –Drunkenness 6 5 1 2 1 2 1 – – – –Motoring offences 18 20 13 20 6 1 2 – 1 – –Using a TV without a licence 6 15 4 9 3 – – – – – –Other offences 47 44 41 33 13 4 7 3 3 4 3Offence not recorded 16 2 15 6 1 – 3 3 2 1 –

Aged 21-29 512 664 730 627 210 179 130 97 64 27 38Violence against the person 29 36 37 27 12 11 14 8 3 2 1Sexual offences 1 – – – – – – – 1 1 –Burglary/Robbery 3 12 14 8 2 – – 1 – – 2Theft and handling 74 133 117 100 32 32 23 13 10 10 9Fraud and forgery 36 47 40 27 7 5 2 3 1 – 1Drug Offences(1) – – – – – – – – 2 – –Drunkenness 9 8 10 8 – 4 3 – – – –Motoring offences 59 99 108 146 44 38 32 15 12 5 10Using a TV without a licence 89 129 120 102 37 25 12 11 4 2 –Other offences 160 190 222 159 55 48 31 29 11 2 3Offence not recorded 52 10 62 50 21 16 13 17 20 5 12

Aged 30 and over 361 476 579 617 212 175 171 110 76 37 38Violence against the person 16 13 20 17 6 6 10 6 – 1 1Sexual offences – – – – 1 – – – – – –Burglary/Robbery 4 6 4 8 3 1 1 2 1 1 1Theft and handling 39 75 77 92 20 24 16 11 6 2 6Fraud and forgery 30 32 34 20 5 4 4 3 5 2 1Drug Offences(1) – – – – – – – – 4 1 –Drunkenness 12 11 6 15 4 3 2 2 2 – –Motoring offences 69 83 93 122 43 29 32 18 14 10 6Using a TV without a licence 68 134 119 124 49 36 29 13 8 7 2Other offences 96 118 181 168 68 59 59 31 13 5 12Offence not recorded 27 4 45 51 13 13 18 24 23 8 9

(1) Application of court repossession order.

36

Table 1.15 Non-criminal prisoners: population in prison by sex and type of committal

England and Wales, 30 JuneNon-criminal prisoners Number of persons

Type of committal 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

All males and females 363 568 623 649 633 557 555 548 581 1,129 831

All males 361 539 599 628 606 538 537 529 561 1,088 774Committed for non payment of:

Wife maintenance (including wife andchild maintenance) 9 14 9 7 2 – – – – – –

Child maintenance 6 8 4 4 1 – 2 – – – –Arrears under an affiliation order – 1 – 2 – – – – – – –Rates 6 6 2 4 1 – – – – – –Community charge/council tax 16 32 43 44 21 18 8 5 2 – 1Other debts – 3 1 3 – 1 2 1 1 1 1

In contempt of court 36 38 58 52 57 49 55 36 49 43 51Persons held under the 1971 Immigration

Act(1) 264 405 460 488 499 457 459 474 506 1,042 707Others 1 6 1 2 1 1 2 5 3 2 6Committal type not recorded 23 26 21 22 24 12 9 8 – – 8

All females 2 29 24 21 27 19 18 19 20 41 57Committed for non payment of:

Child maintenance – – – – – – – – – – –Rates – 2 – – – – – – – – –Community charge/council tax – – 3 – 2 – – – – – –Other debts – – – – – – – – – – –

In contempt of court – 3 – 4 4 – – 1 2 2 4Persons held under the 1971 Immigration

Act(1) 2 24 20 17 20 19 18 16 18 39 52Others – – – – – – – 1 – – –Committal type not recorded – – 1 – 1 – – 1 – – 1

(1) The figures do not include persons held in detention centres controlled by the Immigration Service.

37

Table 1.16 Non-criminal prisoners: receptions into prison by sex and type of committal

England and WalesNon-criminal prisoners Number of persons

Type of committal 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002


All males 2,968 4,756 4,217 3,611 2,994 3,063 3,196 3,178 3,076 4,529 2,534Committed for non-payment of:

Wife maintenance (including wife and childmaintenance) 167 207 148 79 35 14 8 8 3 2 4

Child maintenance 80 104 80 55 26 26 14 9 12 1 2Arrears under an affiliation order 3 21 12 10 5 1 2 1 – – –Rates 188 173 100 31 18 18 13 4 4 1 6Community charge/council tax 476 1,249 1,175 727 413 327 183 94 36 24 18Other debts 37 68 27 38 26 18 21 10 10 5 5In contempt of court 532 716 772 680 533 540 571 567 523 422 420Persons held under the 1971 Immigration Act(1) 1,221 1,773 1,593 1,776 1,810 2,051 2,283 2,380 2,408 3,961 1,988Others 36 86 40 67 42 24 64 76 55 62 38Committal type not recorded 228 359 270 148 86 44 37 29 25 51 53

All females 141 317 290 178 134 141 94 93 77 101 140Committed for non-payment of:

Child maintenance 1 – – – – – – – – – –Rates 24 21 16 2 4 – – – – – –Community charge/council tax 28 177 188 85 46 30 11 7 5 5 3Other debts – 1 – – 1 – – – – – –In contempt of court 22 36 24 31 31 36 17 19 16 20 22Persons held under the 1971 Immigration Act(1) 51 64 48 49 47 71 65 63 47 74 105Others 4 4 2 2 2 3 – 3 3 1 1Committal type not recorded 11 14 12 9 3 1 1 1 6 1 9

(1) The figures do not include persons held in detention centres controlled by the Immigration Service.

38

Table 1.17 Average population in custody and certified normal accommodation: by type of establishment


Type of establishment 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

Population in custody(1) 45,817 44,566 48,794 51,047 55,281 61,114 65,298 64,771 64,602 66,301 70,861

All Prison Service establishments 44,719 44,552 48,621 50,962 55,281 61,114 65,298 64,771 64,602 66,301 70,778Male establishments, of which

Remand centres 2,678 3,172 3,202 2,697 3,118 4,025 4,142 4,440 3,951 3,177 2,980Local prisons 14,948 15,112 17,309 18,484 19,672 21,849 23,683 23,759 23,098 23,856 26,068Open prisons 3,206 3,159 3,341 3,240 3,576 3,853 3,800 3,380 3,324 3,146 3,595Closed training prisons 17,484 17,152 18,319 19,436 20,953 22,308 23,572 23,388 23,627 24,823 25,878

All young offender institutions 4,840 4,396 4,640 5,128 5,701 6,402 6,996 6,555 7,248 7,558 7,959Juvenile young offender institutions 276 437 704 1,013 1,360 1,433 1,664 1,631 2,048 2,649 2,802Short sentence young offender institutions 303 * * * * * * * * * *Open young offender institutions 604 565 446 339 377 423 367 348 373 348 354Closed young offender institutions 3,657 3,395 3,490 3,776 3,964 4,546 4,965 4,576 4,827 4,561 4,803

Female establishments 1,562 1,561 1,811 1,979 2,262 2,675 3,105 3,247 3,350 3,740 4,299

Certified normal(2) accommodation (CNA) on 30 JuneAll establishments 46,239 46,646 48,291 50,239 53,152 56,329 61,253 62,369 63,436 63,530 64,232

Male establishments, of whichRemand centres 2,994 3,268 3,341 2,992 3,041 3,754 3,962 3,781 4,139 3,029 2,669Local prisons 12,571 12,938 14,762 16,041 16,359 17,549 19,577 19,838 19,835 19,813 19,533Open prisons 3,674 3,581 3,745 3,682 3,834 4,068 4,066 4,078 3,840 3,619 3,826Closed training prisons 19,487 19,210 19,206 20,314 21,929 22,007 23,322 24,128 24,500 25,106 25,346

All young offender institutions 5,748 5,867 5,374 5,150 5,785 6,258 7,230 7,299 7,593 8,245 8,360Juvenile young offender institutions 244 486 747 842 1,088 1,202 1,437 1,550 2,165 2,928 3,054Short sentence young offender institutions 619 * * * * * * * * * *Open young offender institutions 833 1,138 706 450 552 548 496 556 496 476 461Closed young offender institutions 4,052 4,243 3,921 3,858 4,145 4,508 5,297 5,193 4,932 4,841 4,845

Female establishments 1,765 1,782 1,863 2,060 2,204 2,693 3,096 3,245 3,529 3,718 4,498

Excess of average population over CNA

Population in custody(1) (422)(2) (2,080)(2) 503 808 2,129 4,785 4,045 2,402 1,116 2,793 6,629

All Prison Service establishments (1,520)(2) (2,095)(2) 330 723 2,129 4,785 4,045 2,402 1,116 2,793 6,546Male establishments, of which

Remand centres (316)(2) (96)(2) (139)(2) (295)(2) 77 271 180 659 (118)(2) 148 311Local prisons 2,377 2,174 2,547 2,443 3,313 4,300 4,106 3,921 3,263 4,043 6,535

(1) Includes those in police cells.(2) CNA was redefined in September 1992 to exclude accommodation in new establishments which is not yet operational.

39

Table 1.18 Population in prison by Prison Service establishment

England and Wales, 30 June 2002

Prison Service establishment Population In use CNA

MalesAcklington 777 772Albany 441 446Altcourse 1,004 614Ashfield 319 400Ashwell 481 486Aylesbury 351 348Bedford 447 355Belmarsh 857 732Birmingham 910 651Blakenhurst 855 647Blantyre House 120 120Blundestone 421 380Brinsford 464 477Bristol 602 488Brixton 760 609Bullingdon 914 767Camp Hill 539 395Canterbury 286 198Cardiff 645 427Castington 329 400Channings Wood 616 594Chelmsford 564 442Coldingley 377 378Dartmoor 622 621Deerbolt 478 472Doncaster 1,123 771Dorchester 242 172Dovegate 724 800Dover 147 158Durham 619 411Elmley 934 763Erlestoke 327 326Everthorpe 374 362Exeter 500 311Featherstone 602 599Feltham 666 712Ford 529 533Forest Bank 981 800Frankland 633 638Full Sutton 597 595Garth 645 633Gartree 283 282Glen Parva 802 664Gloucester 300 236Grendon/Spring Hill 453 497Guys Marsh 514 487Haslar 109 160Hatfield 170 180Haverigg 559 554Hewell Grange 187 187Highdown 738 649Highpoint 604 586Hindley 516 539Hollesley Bay 418 462Holme House 980 854Hull 663 466Huntercombe 346 344Kingston (Portsmouth) 184 193Kirkham 528 561Kirklevington 181 183Lancaster 242 240Lancaster Farms 474 496Latchmere House 188 192Leeds 1,253 806Leicester 371 199Lewes 525 485Leyhill 425 424Lincoln 547 374Lindholme 684 761Littlehey 653 624Liverpool 1,473 1,204Long Lartin 440 441Lowdham Grange 521 504Maidstone 448 382

Prison Service establishment Population In use CNA

Manchester 1,251 943Moorland 775 740North Sea Camp 245 307Northallerton 222 153Norwich 743 536Nottingham 510 398Onley 504 580Parc 927 828Parkhurst 515 482Pentonville 1,167 897Portland 450 512Preston 633 342Ranby 757 679Reading 265 195Risley 833 800Rochester 169 164Rye Hill 658 600Shepton Mallet 180 189Shrewsbury 343 184Stafford 636 640Standford Hill 373 384Stocken 571 556Stoke Heath 652 572Sudbury 507 511Swaleside 777 747Swansea 361 219Swinfen Hall 306 311The Mount 750 704The Verne 583 552The Weare 394 400The Wolds 409 360Thorn Cross 200 316Usk/Prescoed 331 250Wakefield 571 571Wandsworth 1,443 1,124Wayland 648 617Wealstun 622 632Wellingborough 521 516Werrington 130 117Wetherby 333 360Whatton 276 280Whitemoor 420 444Winchester 533 371Woodhill 726 661Wormwood Scrubs 1,190 1,162Wymott 813 809

All males 66,824 59,734

FemalesAskham Grange 135 141Brockhill 161 164Buckley Hall 203 350Bullwood Hall 181 180Cookham Wood 144 120Downview 245 292Drake Hall 276 304Durham 97 105East Sutton Park 95 94Eastwood Park 322 295Exeter – 5Foston Hall 207 214Highpoint 270 298Holloway 480 468Low Newton 286 246Morton Hall 188 192New Hall 348 327Send 215 220Styal 455 417Winchester 86 66

All females 4,394 4,498

All males and females 71,218 64,232

40

Table 1.19 Prison population(1) — international comparison

Rate(14) per Rate of100,000 occupancy in

% change population 2002 (per 100Country 2000 2001 2002 2001–2002 in 2002 places)

European Unionaverage(12) 5 92

England & Wales(2) 65,666 67,056 71,324 6 137 111Northern Ireland 1,011 872 1,029 18 61 . .Scotland(3) 5,869 6,137 6,405 4 126 101Austria(4) 6,861 7,059 . . 3(14) 87(15) . .Belgium(3) 8,524 8,536 8,804 3 86 114Bulgaria 9,424 8,971 9,422 5 124 . .Cyprus 288 369 . . 28(14) 52(15) . .Czech Republic(5) 21,358 19,320 16,213 −16 158 92Denmark 3,240 3,105 3,404 10 63 94Estonia(6) 4,679 4,803 4,775 −1 351 97Finland(5) 2,887 3,110 3,469 12 67 105France(7) 48,835 47,005 53,463 14 87 112Germany(5) 70,252 70,203 70,977 1 86 90Greece 8,038 8,343 8,284 −1 76 148Hungary(5) 15,539 17,257 17,838 3 177 160Ireland (Eire) 2,887 3,019 3,028 – 78 86Italy(5) 54,479 55,743 . . 2(14) 96(15) . .Latvia . . 8,831 . . . . 370(15) . .Lithuania(6) 14,412 9,516 11,566 22 333 116Luxembourg 400 341 . . −15(14) 77(15) . .Malta 257 257 277 8 70 95Netherlands 13,847 14,968 16,239 8 101 96Norway(3) 2,548 2,634 2,762 5 61 . .Poland(2) 65,336 80,004 80,990 1 210 117Portugal 12,728 13,210 13,772 4 132 121Romania 49,682 50,307 . . 1(14) 225(15) . .Russia(5) 923,600 979,285 873,000 −11 602 95Slovakia 7,136 7,348 7,673 4 143 81Slovenia 1,136 1,155 1,121 −3 58 113Spain 45,309 46,594 50,537 8 126 . .Sweden(8) 5,678 6,089 6,506 7 73 . .Switzerland(9) 5,727 5,160 4,987 −3 68 76Turkey 49,512 55,609 . . 12(14) 84(15) . .Australia(10) 21,714 22,458 22,492 – 116 . .Canada(11) 31,608 31,547 . . –(14) 101(15) . .Japan(3) 58,747 63,415 67,354 6 53 107New Zealand(4) 5,720 5,887 5,738 −3 144 . .South Africa(3) 166,334 174,893 184,142 5 431 . .U.S.A.(10) 1,935,919 1,964,301 2,019,234 3 702 . .(1) At 1st September: number of prisoners including pre-trial detainees.(2) At 31st August.(3) Average daily population.(4) Annual averages.(5) At 31st December.(6) At 1st January.(7) Metropolitan and overseas department.(8) At 30th September.(9) At 21st March. From 2001, at 4th September.(10) At 30th June.(11) Average daily counts by financial year (e.g. 2000 = 1st April 2000 – 31st March 2001).(12) In calculating the EU average, all EU countries have been given equal weight.(13) Based on estimates of national population.(14) Percentage change 2000-2001.(15) In 2001.. . Data not available.

Source: Statistical contacts in each country; World Prison Population Brief (International Centre for Prison Studies, Kings College,London).

41

CHAPTER 2

REMAND PRISONERS

Key points

● The average remand population in custody in 2002 was 12,790, an increase of 14 per cent from 2001.Females accounted for 7 per cent of the average remand population.

● An average of 60 remand prisoners were held in police cells under Operation Safeguard in 2002; anaverage of 12,730 prisoners were held in Prison Service establishments.

● Untried prisoners in Prisoner Service establishments rose to 7,680 in 2002, from 6,920 in 2001.Receptions of untried prisoners rose by 10 per cent to 58,710 — females increased by 20 per cent.

● The percentage of untried prisoners in Prison Service establishments who were involved inproceedings at magistrates’ courts was 30 per cent, a smaller proportion than 2001 (which was 34 percent).

● The estimated average time spent in custody in 2002 by male untried prisoners in Prison Serviceestablishments was 49 days. Female untried prisoners spent an estimated average of 37 days incustody.

● An average of 5,050 previously convicted remand prisoners in Prison Service establishments wereawaiting sentence in 2002, an increase of 17 per cent (or 730) since 2001.

● The total number of convicted unsentenced receptions into Prison Service establishments during2002 was 53,300, 14 per cent higher than the previous year. Within this rise, the number of femalesreceived increased by 25 per cent and the number of males increased by 13 per cent.

● Of male prisoners received on remand, 50 per cent were subsequently received with a custodialsentence in 2002; for females the proportion was 41 per cent. Twenty-one per cent of males and 20per cent of females remanded in custody were acquitted, or the proceedings were terminated early.

42

Population (Table 2.1; Figure 2.1)

2.1 The average remand population in custody in 2002 was 12,790, an increase of 14 per cent from 2001.The average female remand population in custody increased by 22 per cent between 2001 and 2002.Females accounted for 7.4 per cent of the remand population compared to 6.9 per cent in 2001 and 4to 5 per cent in 1992 to 1996. An average of 60 remand prisoners were held in police cells underOperation Safeguard in 2002; an average of 12,730 prisoners were held in Prison Serviceestablishments.

2.2 The remainder of this chapter presents statistics based on those in Prison Service establishments andtherefore excludes those held in police cells.

2.3 The average population of untried prisoners was 7,680 in 2002, up 11 per cent from 6,920 in 2001. In2002 untried prisoners accounted for 60 per cent of the remand population. This has fallen from 79per cent in 1992. The percentage of untried prisoners who were involved in proceedings atmagistrates’ courts was 30 per cent, a smaller proportion than in 2001 (which was 34 per cent).

2.4 An average of 5,050 previously convicted remand prisoners were awaiting sentence in 2002, a rise of740 from 2001. Of the 5,050, 9 per cent were females.

2.5 The average age of the remand population on 30th June 2002 was 29 years. Twenty per cent ofremand prisoners were under 21 years of age in 2002, broadly the same as in 2001. Further details ofyoung remand prisoners are given in Chapter 3.

Figure 2.1

AVERAGE POPULATION OF REMAND PRISONERS 1992-2002

Untried Convicted unsentenced

14,000

12,000

10,000

8,000

6,000

4,000

2,000

0

1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

Police cells

Average time spent in custody and number of receptions (Table 2.2; figure 2.2)

2.6 The estimated average time spent in custody in 2002 by male untried prisoners was 49 days. Femaleuntried prisoners spent an estimated average of 37 days in custody. The average population ofuntried males increased by 11 per cent over the year. The total number of untried receptionsincreased by 5,240 to 58,710. The number of male untried receptions during 2002 was 53,750, anincrease of 9 per cent compared to 2001. Female untried receptions rose by 20 per cent and theaverage population of untried females increased by 15 per cent.

43

Figure 2.2

RECEPTIONS OF UNTRIED AND CONVICTED UNSENTENCED PRISONERS

70,000

60,000

50,000

40,000

30,000

20,000

10,000

0

1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

Untried Convicted unsentenced

2.7 Convicted unsentenced males spent an estimated average of 35 days in custody in 2002. Femalesspent an estimated average of 32 days in custody.

2.8 The total number of convicted unsentenced receptions during 2002 was 53,300, 14 per cent higherthan in 2001 and the highest level in the last decade. Within this rise, the number of females receivedincreased by 25 per cent compared to an increase of 13 per cent in the number of males received.

Length of time since first reception as a remand prisoner (Tables 2.3, 2.4 and 2.5)

2.9 The untried population on 30th June 2002 was 7,900. Seven hundred and fifty prisoners (10 per cent)were first received on remand more than 6 months previously. Six hundred of the convictedunsentenced prison population on 30th June had been received on remand more than 6 monthspreviously.

2.10 Table 2.5 gives equivalent information for all remand prisoners, i.e. including both untried andconvicted unsentenced prisoners. The time spent on remand by convicted unsentenced prisonersincludes any time spent on remand as an untried prisoner.

Remand disposals (Table 2.6)

2.11 Of males received on remand, 50 per cent subsequently received a custodial sentence in 2002. Forfemales the proportion was 41 per cent.

2.12 Twenty-one per cent of males and 20 per cent of females remanded in custody were acquitted, or theproceedings were terminated early. Sixteen per cent of males and 22 per cent of females received acommunity sentence.

Persons received with a custodial sentence previously remanded in custody (Table 2.7)

2.13 Of those received under a custodial sentence, 50 per cent of males and 47 per cent of females hadpreviously been remanded in custody. Prisoners with longer sentences were more likely to have beenremanded in custody; 87 per cent of males sentenced to over 4 years were known to have beenremanded in custody compared to 36 per cent of those sentenced to 3 months or less.

2.14 The percentage previously held on remand also depends on the offence committed; 76 per cent ofmales sentenced for robbery offences, and 74 per cent sentenced for burglary offences werepreviously received on remand, compared with 38 per cent of those sentenced for fraud and forgeryoffences and 37 per cent for other offences.

44

Remand population and receptions by offence (Tables 2.8 and 2.9; figures 2.3 and 2.4)

2.15 The remand population, 13,080 on 30th June 2002, increased by 18 per cent compared with 30th June2001. The numbers held on remand for robbery increased by 54 per cent whilst sex offences rose by20 per cent. The number held on remand for drugs offences rose by 2 per cent.

2.16 On 30th June 2002, 21 per cent of the male remand population (where the offence was known) wereheld for violence against the person, and 17 per cent were held for burglary. Thirty per cent offemales were being held for theft and handling and 19 per cent for drug offences. Figures 2.3 and 2.4show the remand population breakdown by offence and gender.

2.17 Total remand receptions, as either an untried or convicted unsentenced prisoner, increased by 11 percent between 2001 and 2002. Within this increase, receptions for robbery increased by 30 per cent,whereas receptions for drugs offences increased by just 2 per cent.

Figure 2.3

POPULATION OF REMAND PRISONERS BY OFFENCE — MALES

Robbery12%

Theft15%

Fraud2%

Drugs12%

Other16%

Violence against the person21%

Burglary17%

Sexual5%

Figure 2.4

POPULATION OF REMAND PRISONERS BY OFFENCE — FEMALES

Robbery11%

Theft30%

Fraud3%

Drugs19%

Other14%

Violence against the person14%

Burglary9%

Sexual0%

45

Table 2.1 Average population of remand prisoners in custody: by type of committal, age and sex


Type of prisoner 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

Males and Females

All untried prisoners 7,386 7,960 9,046 8,352 8,375 8,453 8,156 7,947 7,097 6,924 7,685in Prison Serviceestablishments

Involved inproceedings atMagistrates’courts 3,463 3,958 4,297 4,223 4,663 4,726 4,532 4,324 3,741 2,343 2,324

Committed fortrial to theCrown Court 3,910 3,966 4,706 4,085 3,654 3,686 3,580 3,579 3,298 4,523 5,299

Other untriedprisoners 14 37 44 43 58 41 44 44 58 57 62

Convictedunsentencedprisoners inPrison Serviceestablishments 1,989 2,700 3,181 2,954 3,238 3,678 4,411 4,571 4,177 4,314 5,049

All remandprisoners inPrison Serviceestablishments 9,375 10,660 12,228 11,306 11,613 12,131 12,568 12,520 11,274 11,238 12,734

Aged 14–20(1) 2,551 2,716 2,993 2,789 2,941 2,978 2,936 2,930 2,607 2,347 2,552

Aged 21 and over 6,824 7,943 9,235 8,517 8,672 9,153 9,631 9,590 8,667 8,890 10,182

Remand prisoners inpolice cells 715 14 129 68 – – – – – – 58

All in custody(1) 10,090 10,674 12,357 11,375 11,613 12,131 12,568 12,520 11,274 11,238 12,792

Males

All untried prisonersin Prison Serviceestablishments 7,122 7,675 8,696 8,008 8,004 8,057 7,730 7,513 6,701 6,494 7,189

Involved inproceedings atMagistrates’courts 3,337 3,806 4,125 4,053 4,459 4,502 4,287 4,088 3,525 2,181 2,168

Committed fortrial to theCrown Court 3,774 3,839 4,536 3,922 3,506 3,521 3,404 3,383 3,121 4,259 4,964


Convictedunsentencedprisoners inPrison Serviceestablishments 1,885 2,590 3,042 2,807 3,071 3,475 4,133 4,258 3,873 3,969 4,600

All remandprisoners inPrison Serviceestablishments 9,007 10,265 11,738 10,815 11,075 11,532 11,864 11,772 10,574 10,462 11,789

Aged 14–20(1) 2,486 2,649 2,919 2,701 2,848 2,879 2,818 2,799 2,481 2,215 2,398

Aged 21 and over 6,521 7,616 8,819 8,114 8,227 8,653 9,045 8,973 8,093 8,247 9,391

Remand prisoners inpolice cells 700 14 129 68 – – – – – – 58

All in custody(1) 9,707 10,279 11,867 10,884 11,075 11,532 11,864 11,772 10,574 10,462 11,847

(1) 14 year olds have not been in custody since October 1993.

46

Table 2.1 (continued) Average population of remand prisoners in custody: by type of committal, ageand sex


Type of prisoner 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

Females

All untried prisonersin Prison Serviceestablishments 264 285 350 344 371 396 426 434 396 430 496

Involved inproceedings atMagistratecourts 126 152 172 170 204 224 245 236 216 162 156

Committed fortrial to theCrown Court 136 127 170 163 148 165 176 196 177 264 335


Convictedunsentencedprisoners inPrison Serviceestablishments 104 110 139 147 167 203 278 313 304 345 449

All remandprisoners inPrison Serviceestablishments 368 395 490 491 538 599 704 748 700 775 944

Aged 14–20(1) 65 67 74 88 93 99 118 131 126 132 154

Aged 21 and over 303 327 416 403 445 500 586 617 574 643 791

Remand prisoners inpolice cells 15 – – – – – – – – – 1

All in custody(1) 383 395 490 491 538 599 704 748 700 775 945

(1) 14 year olds have not been in custody since October 1993.

47

Table 2.2 Untried and convicted unsentenced prisoners in prison: average population, receptions(1) andestimated average time spent in custody

England and WalesMales and females Number of persons/days

Type of prisoner 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

Untried prisonersMales

Average population 7,122 7,675 8,696 8,008 8,004 8,057 7,730 7,513 6,701 6,494 7,189Receptions 47,501 50,918 54,157 52,347 55,545 58,092 60,157 59,985 50,866 49,345 53,754Estimated average number

of days in custody(2) 55 55 59 56 53 51 47 46 49 49 49

FemalesAverage population 264 285 350 344 371 396 426 434 396 430 496Receptions 2,368 2,647 2,922 2,940 3,343 3,974 4,540 4,587 4,026 4,122 4,954Estimated average number

of days in custody(2)(4) 41 39 44 43 41 36 34 35 36 39 37

Convicted unsentenced prisonersMales

Average population 1,885 2,590 3,042 2,807 3,071 3,475 4,133 4,258 3,873 3,969 4,600Receptions 20,051 28,593 32,751 30,261 32,993 33,988 39,945 41,958 40,116 42,502 47,851Estimated average number

of days in custody(3) 34 33 34 34 34 37 38 37 35 34 35

FemalesAverage population 104 110 139 147 167 203 278 313 304 345 449Receptions 1,199 1,505 1,812 1,778 1,994 2,436 3,442 3,935 3,773 4,349 5,450Estimated average number

of days in custody(3)(4) 32 27 28 30 31 30 30 29 30 28 32

(1) Total receptions cannot be calculated by adding together receptions in each category, because there is double counting (seeparagraph 11 of Appendix 2).

(2) Time spent in Prison Service establishments before conviction, acquittal etc.(3) Time spent in Prison Service establishments after conviction before being sentenced.(4) Averages are subject to wide variation because of the small population on which they are based.

48

Table 2.3 Untried prisoners in prison by length of time since first reception(1)

England and Wales, 30 JuneMales and females Number of persons(2)

Length of time since first remand into a Prison Serviceestablishment 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

All lengths 7,550 7,850 9,200 7,950 8,450 8,550 8,350 7,950 7,200 6,800 7,900Less than 1 week 700 750 700 600 950 700 700 850 800 850 1,0001 week 100 100 100 100 – 200 200 100 150 – –More than 1 week up to and including 1 month 1,500 1,800 1,850 1,900 1,900 2,000 1,900 2,050 2,050 1,800 1,900More than 1 month up to and including 3 months 2,700 2,600 3,000 2,400 2,900 3,200 2,800 2,800 2,300 2,300 2,850More than 3 months up to and including 6 months 1,500 1,700 2,050 1,650 1,500 1,400 1,500 1,400 1,200 1,200 1,400More than 6 months up to and including

12 months 900 800 1,250 1,050 950 850 1,050 600 500 400 500More than 12 months(3) 100 150 250 250 250 200 200 150 200 250 250

(1) Time since first reception on remand into a Prison Service establishment. This includes any intervening time spent on bail, but excludes time spent inpolice cells beforehand.

(2) Rounded estimates which therefore may not add to the totals.(3) These estimates are subject to a wider margin of error than those whose length of time since first reception is less than 12 months.

Table 2.4 Convicted unsentenced prisoners in prison by length of time since first reception(1)


Length of time since first remand into a Prison Serviceestablishment 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

All lengths 2,000 2,800 3,300 3,100 3,150 3,550 4,550 4,650 4,200 4,300 5,200Less than 1 week 150 200 250 250 300 250 300 400 500 550 6001 week – 50 50 50 – 100 150 100 100 – –More than 1 week up to and including 1 month 400 750 850 850 750 900 1,150 1,250 1,250 1,400 1,500More than 1 month up to and including 3 months 550 600 750 700 750 850 1,200 1,250 1,000 1,050 1,500More than 3 months up to and including 6 months 550 650 750 700 800 850 950 1,050 850 750 950More than 6 months up to and including

12 months 400 400 650 450 450 500 700 450 350 350 400More than 12 months(3) – 100 – 100 100 100 100 150 150 200 200

(1) Time since first reception on remand into a Prison Service establishment. This includes any intervening time spent on bail, but excludes time spent inpolice cells beforehand.


49

Table 2.5 All remand prisoners in prison by length of time since first reception(1)


Length of time since first remand into a Prison Serviceestablishment 1999 2000 2001 2002

All lengths 12,600 11,450 11,050 13,100Less than 1 week 1,250 1,300 1,400 1,6501 week 200 250 – –More than 1 week up to and including 1 month 3,300 3,350 3,200 3,400More than 1 month up to and including 3 months 4,050 3,300 3,350 4,350More than 3 months up to and including 6 months 2,450 2,100 1,950 2,350More than 6 months up to and including 12 months 1,050 800 750 900More than 12 months 300 350 400 450

(1) Time since first reception on remand into a Prison Service establishment. This includes any intervening time spent on bail, butexcludes time spent in police cells beforehand.


Table 2.6 Final court outcome for persons remanded in custody at some stage in magistrates’ courtproceedings(1)

England and Wales Estimated percentages

Final court outcome(2) Males Females

2000 2001 2002(p) 2000 2001 2002(p)

Acquitted, etc 23 21 21 22 21 20

Convicted(3): 77 78 79 78 78 80Discharge 3 3 3 6 5 5Fine 6 4 4 6 5 5Community Sentence(4) 15 13 16 23 19 22Fully suspended sentence – – – 1 – –Immediate custody(5) 48 51 50 36 42 41

Total 100 100 100 100 100 100(1) Includes persons remanded in custody by magistrates during proceedings or on committal.(2) Includes estimated outcome at the Crown Court for those committed for trial or sentence.(3) Includes offences otherwise dealt with.(4) Includes community rehabilitation orders, supervision orders, community sentence orders, attendance centre orders, community

punishment and rehabilitation orders, curfew orders, reparation orders (from June 2000), action plan orders (from June 2000) anddrug treatment and testing orders (from October 2000).

(5) Includes detention in a young offender institution, detention and training order and unsuspended imprisonment.

50

Table 2.7 Receptions into prison under an immediate custodial sentence: proportion known to havebeen previously remanded in custody: by sex, offence and length of sentence

England and Wales 2002Males and females Percentage

Length of Sentence

Offence group

Allsentencelengths

Up to andincluding3 months



12 months 12 months


Over18 monthsless than4 years 4 years

Over4 years

(includinglife)

All males and females 50 36 41 48 46 57 71 78 87

All males 50 35 41 49 46 57 72 78 87Violence against the person 46 34 35 34 34 47 62 71 89Sexual offences 52 50 37 29 30 34 48 61 71Burglary 74 69 61 62 61 71 87 91 96Robbery 76 96 71 53 40 56 75 89 95Theft and handling 52 40 53 62 59 75 84 93 96Fraud and forgery 38 28 32 40 35 37 52 55 80Drugs offences 64 53 46 41 45 44 64 78 88Other offences 37 25 33 47 50 61 74 77 85Offence not recorded 16 19 8 8 8 20 23 32 39

All females 47 38 42 46 44 50 64 80 86

51

Table 2.8 Population of untried and convicted unsentenced prisoners in prison by offence and sex


2001 2002

Convicted ConvictedOffence Untried unsentenced Total Untried unsentenced Total

Males and FemalesAll offences 6,801 4,260 11,061 7,877 5,204 13,081

Violence against the person 1,587 561 2,148 1,843 700 2,543Sexual offences 368 125 492 435 156 591Burglary 981 720 1,702 1,091 910 2,001Robbery 660 252 912 1,032 373 1,406Theft and handling 573 1,112 1,685 672 1,290 1,962Fraud and forgery 107 77 184 110 105 215Drugs offences 1,036 471 1,507 993 542 1,534Other offences 867 785 1,653 984 928 1,912Offence not recorded 620 158 779 717 200 917

MalesAll offences 6,351 3,937 10,288 7,351 4,732 12,083

Violence against the person 1,507 528 2,035 1,744 667 2,411Sexual offences 365 125 489 434 153 588Burglary 936 697 1,634 1,043 872 1,916Robbery 627 240 867 953 349 1,302Theft and handling 518 982 1,500 596 1,089 1,686Fraud and forgery 95 72 167 104 87 191Drugs offences 899 421 1,320 881 478 1,360Other offences 811 728 1,540 925 857 1,783Offence not recorded 591 144 736 669 178 846

FemalesAll offences 450 323 773 526 472 998

Violence against the person 80 33 113 98 33 131Sexual offences 3 – 3 1 2 3Burglary 45 23 68 47 38 85Robbery 33 12 45 80 24 104Theft and handling 55 130 185 76 201 277Fraud and forgery 12 5 17 6 18 24Drugs offences 137 50 187 111 63 174Other offences 56 57 113 59 70 129Offence not recorded 29 14 43 48 22 70

52

Table 2.9 Receptions(1) of untried and convicted unsentenced prisoners into prison by offence and sex


2001(r) 2002

Convicted ConvictedOffence Untried Unsentenced Total Untried Unsentenced Total

Males and FemalesAll offences 53,467 46,851 82,668 58,708 53,301 91,525

Violence against the person 9,641 5,138 12,274 10,708 5,948 13,850Sexual offences 1,847 963 2,363 2,154 1,098 2,727Burglary 8,801 6,698 12,036 9,422 7,756 13,352Robbery 3,790 2,162 4,652 5,009 2,988 6,029Theft and handling 11,305 15,130 22,264 11,995 16,556 23,859Fraud and forgery 1,208 1,056 1,873 1,294 1,289 2,150Drugs offences 5,577 3,697 7,521 5,418 4,111 7,671Other offences 10,576 11,262 18,358 11,738 12,604 20,171Offence not recorded 722 745 1,327 970 951 1,716

MalesAll offences 49,345 42,502 75,477 53,754 47,851 82,835

Violence against the person 9,090 4,790 11,520 10,092 5,553 12,990Sexual offences 1,836 958 2,348 2,142 1,090 2,711Burglary 8,454 6,515 11,611 8,988 7,437 12,768Robbery 3,563 2,037 4,374 4,618 2,747 5,560Theft and handling 10,004 12,942 19,232 10,446 13,926 20,258Fraud and forgery 1,044 895 1,594 1,087 1,061 1,787Drugs offences 4,833 3,227 6,529 4,701 3,622 6,693Other offences 9,914 10,501 17,153 10,891 11,616 18,661Offence not recorded 607 637 1,116 789 799 1,407

FemalesAll offences 4,122 4,349 7,191 4,954 5,450 8,690

Violence against the person 551 348 754 616 395 860Sexual offences 11 5 15 12 8 16Burglary 347 183 425 434 319 584Robbery 227 125 278 391 241 469Theft and handling 1,301 2,188 3,032 1,549 2,630 3,601Fraud and forgery 164 161 279 207 228 363Drugs offences 744 470 992 717 489 978Other offences 662 761 1,205 847 988 1,510Offence not recorded 115 108 211 181 152 309

(1) Total receptions cannot be calculated by adding together receptions in each category, because there is double counting (seeparagraph 11 of Appendix 2).

53

CHAPTER 3

YOUNG PEOPLE

Key PointsYoung People

● The total prison population of young people on 30th June 2002 was 11,610, an increase of 5 per centfrom 2001. The remand population increased by 16 per cent between 2001 and 2002, whereas thesentenced population increased by just 2 per cent.

● 20,240 young offenders were received into Prison Service establishments under an immediatecustodial sentence in 2002. 18,900 of these were male and 1,330 were female. This total represents adecrease of 3 per cent compared to 2001. A further 110 young offenders were received as finedefaulters in 2002.

● The average time served by male young offenders discharged in 2002 was 5.8 months, includingremand time, or 4.7 months excluding remand time. For females it was 4.5 months, including remandtime, or 3.9 months excluding remand time.

Juveniles

● The total juvenile prison population on 30th June 2002 was 2,610, an increase of 7 per cent from 2001.The juvenile population under sentence was 2,080; 1,980 of these were male and 100 were female.

● 5,740 juveniles were received into Prison Service establishments under an immediate custodialsentence in 2002. Of these, 5,390 were male and 350 were female. The total represents a decrease of3 per cent compared to 2001.

18-20 Year Olds(1)

● The total prison population aged 18 to 20 on 30th June 2002 was 9,000, an increase of 5 per cent from2001. Of these, 2,170 were on remand and 6,770 were under sentence.

● 14,500 18-20 year olds were received into Prison Service establishments under an immediatecustodial sentence in 2002. 13,510 of these were male and 990 were female. The total represents adecrease of 4 per cent compared to 2001.

(1) Includes 21 year olds who were aged 20 or under at conviction who have not been reclassified as part of the adult population.

54

Introduction

3.1 Young offenders are those given a custodial sentence when aged under 21 who have notsubsequently been reclassified as adults. Their treatment was heavily influenced by legislative andadministrative changes over the last 10 years.

● In October 1992, under the Criminal Justice Act 1991, 17 year olds were brought within thejurisdiction of the juvenile court (renamed the youth court) and the sentence of detention in ayoung offenders institution for 14 year old males was abolished.

● The 1994 Criminal Justice and Public Order Act influenced the sentencing of young offendersin 1995.

● From 9th January 1995 the provisions of section 53 of the Children and Young Persons Act1933 for 10 to 13 year olds were extended, but this had only a minor effect on the figures for1995.

● Of greater effect was the provision of the 1994 Act that increased the maximum sentencelength of Detention in a Young Offenders Institution for 15 to 17 year olds from 1 to 2 years,which came into effect from 3rd February 1995.

● From 1st April 2000 the Detention and Training Order, under the Crime & Disorder Act 1998replaced the sentence of Detention in a Young Offenders Institution for those under 18.

● In August 2000 sections 90-92 of the Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000replaced sections 53(1) & 53(2) of the Children and Young Person Act 1933.

3.2 Some young offenders are held outside Prison Service establishments that are not in the scope of thispublication. Secure Training Centres (STCs) are purpose-built centres for Young Offenders up tothe age of 17, and are run by private operators according to Home Office contracts. Local AuthoritySecure Children’s Homes (LASCHs) are generally used to accommodate young offenders aged12-14, girls up to the age of 16 and 15-16 year old boys who are assessed as vulnerable.

Young PeoplePopulation (Tables 3.1-3.7; figure 3.1)

3.3 The total prison population of young people on 30th June 2002 was 11,610, an increase of 5 per centfrom 2001. Of these, 2,690 were on remand and 8,860 were under sentence. The remand populationincreased by 16 per cent between 2001 and 2002, whereas the sentenced population increased by just2 per cent. The sentenced population of young offenders represents 76 per cent of the young offenderpopulation.

3.4 Of the 8,860 sentenced young offenders, there were 8,370 sentenced young males, an increase of1 per cent from 2001 and an increase of 54 per cent from 1992. In comparison, the female sentencedyoung offender population of 490 increased by 25 per cent compared to 2001 and by 250 per centcompared to 1992.

55

Figure 3.1

PRISON POPULATION OF SENTENCED YOUNG OFFENDERSON 30 JUNE 1992 – 2002: BY SEX

9,000

0

1,000

2,000

3,000

4,000

5,000

6,000

8,000

7,000

1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002Year

Num

ber

of p

erso

ns

Males

Females

3.5 At June 2002, 23 per cent of male young offenders were sentenced for robbery, 20 per cent forburglary, 20 per cent for violence against the person and 11 per cent for theft and handling/fraud andforgery. It may be unsafe to analyse changes over time by type of offence because of differences inthe proportion of offences where the nature of the offence was not recorded. Nevertheless generaltrends can be seen. The main increase over the last decade has been in the proportion of male youngoffenders serving sentences for robbery (up from 18 per cent to 23 per cent). In contrast, theproportion sentenced for burglary fell, from 31 per cent to 20 per cent. The proportions for femaleyoung offenders vary considerably from year to year as they are based on small numbers. Inmid-2002, drugs offences accounted for 23 per cent of the sentenced population, violence against theperson 21 per cent, robbery 18 per cent and theft and handling 17 per cent.

3.6 Estimates based on a sample of the prison population show that 17 per cent of male sentenced youngoffenders were known to have no previous convictions in 2001, the latest year for which data areavailable. This compares to 15 per cent of sentenced adult males. In contrast, 21 per cent of maleyoung offenders had 7 or more previous convictions compared to 47 per cent of adult males.Information was missing for 15 per cent of male young offenders.

3.7 At June 2002, 44 per cent of sentenced young offenders were serving sentences of up to 18 months, 28per cent were serving sentences of over 18 months to 3 years and 28 per cent were serving sentencesof longer than 3 years. These proportions are similar to those of the past decade.

56

Figure 3.2

MALE YOUNG OFFENDER PRISON POPULATION UNDER SENTENCEON 30 JUNE 2002 BY OFFENCE GROUP

Other offences15%

Drugs offences6%

Fraud and forgery0%

Theft and handling11%

Robbery23%

Burglary20%

Sexual offences3%

Violence against theperson20%

Figure 3.3

FEMALE YOUNG OFFENDER PRISON POPULATION UNDER SENTENCEON 30 JUNE 2002 BY OFFENCE GROUP

Other offences10%

Drugs offences23%

Fraud and forgery1%

Theft and handling17%

Violence against theperson21%

Sexual offences0%

Burglary10%

Robbery18%

Receptions (Tables 3.8-3.12; figure 3.4)

3.8 In 2002, 20,240 young offenders were received into Prison Service establishments under animmediate custodial sentence, a decrease of 730, or 3 per cent, compared to 2001. 18,900 of thesereceptions were male (800 less than in 2001) and 1,330 were female (60 more than in 2001). A further110 young people were received into Prison Service establishments in default of paying a fine, adecrease of 20 per cent compared to the number of fine defaulters received in 2001.

57

Figure 3.4

RECEPTIONS OF SENTENCED YOUNG OFFENDERS UNDER ANIMMEDIATE CUSTODIAL SENTENCE, 1992-2002

Males

Females

Num

ber

of P

erso

ns

25,000

20,000

15,000

10,000

5,000

01992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

Year

3.9 In 2002, 81 per cent of male young offenders were received with sentences of up to 18 months, 12 percent with sentences of 18 months to 3 years and 7 per cent for those with sentences of more than 3years. Similarly, 83 per cent of female young offenders were received with sentences of up to 18months, 10 per cent for sentences of 18 months to 3 years and 6 per cent for those with sentences ofmore than 3 years. These proportions are similar to those of the past decade.

3.10 In 2002, 20,690 young people were received on remand and 20,350 were received under sentence. Incomparison to last year, the remand figure has increased by 4 per cent, however the sentenced figurehas decreased by 4 per cent.

3.11 In 2002, 21 per cent of young males were received into prison under an immediate custodial sentencefor theft and handling offences, 17 per cent for violence against the person, 14 per cent for burglaryand 11 per cent for robbery. The main increase over the decade has been in the proportion of youngmales received for other offences (up from 21 per cent to 31 per cent) and the main decrease has beenfor those received for burglary offences (down from 31 per cent to 14 per cent). Among females, 31per cent were received for theft and handling, 18 per cent for violence against the person, 11 per centfor robbery and 11 per cent for drugs offences.

Discharges

3.12 In 2002, the average sentence length for those discharged was 11.5 months for males and 9.7 forfemales compared with 11.2 and 8.7 months in 2001. The average time served under determinatesentences was 5.8 months for males, including remand time or 4.7 months excluding remand time. Itwas 4.5 months for females, including remand time and 3.9 excluding remand time.

JuvenilesPopulation (Tables 3.1a, 3.2-3.4; figure 3.5)

3.13 The total juvenile prison population on 30th June 2002 was 2,610, an increase of 7 per cent from 2001.Of these, 520 were on remand and 2,080 were under sentence. The sentenced population of juvenileoffenders therefore represents 80 per cent of the juvenile population. This is around the sameproportion as 2001, but has increased from 1995 when the sentenced population represented 59 percent of the total juvenile population.

58

3.14 Of the 2,080 sentenced juveniles in Prison Service establishments at 30th June 2002, there were 1,980sentenced males and 100 sentenced females. Amongst males, 67 per cent were serving sentences of18 months or less, while 20 per cent were serving over 18 months to 3 years and 13 per cent wereserving over 3 years. In comparison, 68 per cent of the female sentenced population were serving 18months or less, with 23 per cent serving over 18 months to 3 years and 8 per cent serving over 3 years.

3.15 Excluding offences not recorded, the main offence groups for the juvenile male sentencedpopulation in June 2002 were robbery (26 per cent), burglary (21 per cent) and violence against theperson (18 per cent). In contrast, in the female sentenced population the main offence groups wereviolence against the person (29 per cent), theft and handling (20 per cent) and robbery (19 per cent).

Figure 3.5

JUVENILE POPULATION IN PRISON UNDER SENTENCE BY OFFENCE GROUPAND LENGTH OF SENTENCE, 30 JUNE 2002

Robbery

Burglary

Violence against the person

Theft & handling

Other offences

Sexual

Drugs

Fraud & forgery

0 100 200 300 400 500 600

Less than 18 months 18 months under 3 years 3 years and over incl. Life

Receptions (Tables 3.8-3.11)

3.16 In 2002, 5,740 juveniles were received into Prison Service establishments under an immediatecustodial sentence, a decrease of 170, or 3 per cent, compared to 2001. Of these, 5,390 were male (210less than in 2001) and 350 were female (41 more than in 2001). Over the course of the last decade,male sentenced receptions have increased by 61 per cent (from 3,340 in 1992), whereas femalesentenced receptions have increased by 338 per cent over the same period (80 in 1992).

3.17 The main offence group of males received in 2002, excluding instances where the offence was notrecorded, was other offences, accounting for 25 per cent. Theft and handling accounted for 20 percent, with violence against the person, burglary and robbery accounting for 17 per cent each. Themain changes over the last decade have been in burglary (down from 34 per cent), robbery and otheroffences (up from 10 per cent and 18 per cent respectively).

3.18 The main offences for juvenile females in 2002, excluding offence not recorded, were violenceagainst the person (27 per cent), theft and handling (22 per cent) and robbery (21 per cent).However, as the numbers are small, any further analysis would be misleading.

18-20 Year Olds(1)Population (Tables 3.1b, 3.2; figure 3.6)

3.19 The total prison population aged 18 to 20 on 30th June 2002 was 9,000, an increase of 5 per centcompared to 2001. Of these, 2,170 were on remand and 6,770 were under sentence. The sentencedpopulation of 18 to 20 year old offenders therefore represents 75 per cent of the population for thatage group.

(1) Includes 21 year olds who were aged 20 or under at conviction who have not been reclassified as part of the adult population.

59

3.20 Of the 6,770 sentenced 18-20 year olds, there were 6,390 sentenced males and 380 sentenced females.Amongst males, 36 per cent were serving sentences of 18 months or less, whilst 31 per cent wereserving over 18 months to 3 years and 33 per cent were serving over 3 years. In comparison, 45 percent of the female sentenced population were serving 18 months or less, with 28 per cent serving over18 months to 3 years and 27 per cent serving over 3 years.

3.21 Excluding offences not recorded, the main offence groups for the 18 to 20 male sentenced populationin June 2002 were robbery (22 per cent), violence against the person (21 per cent) and burglary (20percent). In contrast, in the female sentenced population the main offence groups were drugsoffences (27 per cent), violence against the person (19 per cent) and robbery (18 per cent).

Figure 3.6

POPULATION OF 18-20 YEAR OLDS IN PRISON UNDER SENTENCE BY OFFENCEGROUP AND LENGTH OF SENTENCE, 30 JUNE 2002

Robbery

Violence against the person

Burglary

Other offences

Theft & handling

Drugs

Sexual

Fraud & forgery

0 200 400 600 800 1,000 1,200 1,400 1,600

Less than 18 months 18 months under 3 years 3 years and over incl. Life


3.22 In 2002, 14,500 young persons aged 18 to 20 were received into Prison Service establishments underan immediate custodial sentence, a decrease of 570, or 4 per cent, compared to 2001. Of these, 13,510were male (590 less than in 2001) and 990 were female (21 more than in 2001). Over the course of thelast decade, male sentenced receptions have increased by 42 per cent (from 9,490 in 1992), whereasfemale sentenced receptions have increased by 272 per cent over the same period (270 in 1992).

3.23 The main offence group of males received in 2002, excluding instances where the offence was notrecorded, was other offences, accounting for 34 per cent. Theft and handling accounted for 21 percent, with violence against the person accounting for 17 per cent. The main changes over the lastdecade have been in burglary (down from 30 per cent to 13 per cent) and other offences (up from 22per cent to 34 per cent).

3.24 The main offences for 18 to 20 year old females in 2002, excluding offence not recorded, were theftand handling (34 per cent), other offences (20 per cent) and violence against the person (15 per cent).These proportions are similar to those of a decade ago, with the most significant change being inviolence against the person, which decreased from 18 per cent in 1992 to 15 per cent in 2002.

60

Table 3.1 Population in prison under sentence by type of custody, sex, offence group and length of sentence

England and Wales, 30 June 2002Young offenders(1) Number of persons

Offence group

Allcustody

typesDetention in a Young Offender Institution/Detention and Training order(3)

Allsentencelengths

Length of sentence

Up to3 months

Over 3months

less than6 months

Over 6months

less than12

months

12months

Over 12months

up to18

months

Over 18months

up to3 years

Over 3years less

than 4years

4 years Over 4yearsup to

5 years

Over 5yearsup to

10 years

Over 10years lessthan life

Custodyfor life

Powers of CriminalCourts (Sentencing)

Act 2000(2)

Section90

Section91

Life

All males and females 8,855 8,695 342 1,024 733 637 1,131 2,489 648 526 603 535 26 40 88 32

All males 8,368 8,221 310 964 680 601 1,067 2,358 626 501 583 505 23 37 82 28

Offences with immediatecustodial sentence 8,368 8,221 310 964 680 601 1,067 2,358 626 501 583 505 23 37 82 28Violence against the

person 1,655 1,531 47 153 114 112 185 367 103 130 159 155 5 32 80 12Rape 170 155 1 – – – 1 19 7 17 29 72 9 4 1 9Other sexual offences 99 99 – 7 5 9 13 40 4 10 8 4 – – – –Burglary 1,650 1,650 25 126 140 149 280 662 120 50 71 28 – – – –Robbery 1,878 1,871 32 36 47 100 177 625 253 207 215 176 3 1 1 5Theft and handling 891 891 83 259 157 71 125 151 21 6 8 12 – – – –Fraud and forgery 31 31 3 10 6 – 2 9 1 – – – – – – –Drugs offences 527 527 6 19 22 27 57 203 64 50 44 32 2 – – –Other offences 1,212 1,211 104 327 152 97 189 217 36 22 39 22 4 – – 1Offence not recorded 255 255 9 27 39 38 38 65 18 8 9 4 – – – –

In default of payment of afine – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

All females 487 474 32 60 52 36 64 131 22 24 20 30 3 3 6 4

Offences with immediatecustodial sentence 487 474 32 60 52 36 64 131 22 24 20 30 3 3 6 4Violence against the

person 100 89 5 8 11 13 9 24 1 7 5 5 – 3 6 2Rape 1 1 – – – – – – – – – 1 – – – –Other sexual offences – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –Burglary 47 47 1 2 9 7 12 11 4 – – 1 – – – –Robbery 87 87 – 2 4 3 12 49 6 6 3 1 – – – –Theft and handling 79 79 17 32 19 2 5 5 – – – – – – – –Fraud and forgery 4 4 – 1 – 1 2 – – – – – – – – –Drugs offences 109 109 1 6 4 3 15 28 11 8 11 20 2 – – –Other offences 47 45 7 8 5 4 7 10 – 2 1 – 1 – – 2Offence not recorded 13 13 1 2 1 3 2 3 – – – 1 – – – –

In default of payment offine – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

(1) Includes young offenders aged 20 at conviction, who have not been reclassified as part of the adult population.(2) Section 53 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933 was repealed on 25th August 2000 and its provisions were transferred to Sections 90, 91 and 92 of

the Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000.(3) Includes those sentenced to determinate sentences under section 91 of the Powers of Criminal Court (Sentencing) Act 2000.

61

Table 3.1a Juvenile population in prison under sentence by type of custody, sex, offence group and length of sentence

England and Wales, 30 June 2002Juveniles Number of persons

Offence group

Allcustody

typesDetention and Training Order/Determinate sentences under S91 of the Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000

Allsentencelengths

Length of sentence

Up to3 months

Over 3months

up to andincluding6 months

Over 6months

less than12

months

12months

Over 12months

up to18

months

Over 18months

up to3 years

Over 3years less

than4 years


5 years

Over 5yearsup to

10 years


Custodyfor life


Act 2000(1)

Section90

Section91

Life

All males and females 2,084 2,054 21 416 294 291 383 413 73 72 56 35 – – 16 14

All males 1,980 1,952 20 396 274 277 368 389 71 68 54 35 – – 16 12Offences with immediate

custodial sentence 1,980 1,952 20 396 274 277 368 389 71 68 54 35 – – 16 12Violence against the

person 336 314 2 66 50 43 44 52 11 16 16 13 – – 15 7Rape 29 26 – – – – 1 6 2 5 4 8 – – – 3Other sexual offences 29 29 – 2 2 5 4 8 2 3 3 – – – – –Burglary 395 395 1 71 60 80 92 74 7 5 4 2 – – – –Robbery 500 497 6 21 29 65 105 177 37 29 18 11 – – 1 2Theft and handling 299 299 1 121 67 38 45 25 1 – – – – – – –Fraud and forgery 3 3 – 3 – – – – – – – – – – – –Drugs offences 43 43 1 3 4 4 13 9 4 4 1 – – – – –Other offences 275 275 9 101 50 33 54 19 2 3 4 – – – – –Offence not recorded 72 72 – 8 11 10 11 20 5 2 4 1 – – – –


All females 104 102 1 21 20 14 15 24 2 4 1 – – – – 2

Offences with immediatecustodial sentence 104 102 1 21 20 14 15 24 2 4 1 – – – – 2Violence against the

person 28 26 – 2 7 4 2 7 1 2 1 – – – – 2Rape – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –Other sexual offences – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –Burglary 9 9 – 1 4 1 1 2 – – – – – – – –Robbery 19 19 – – – 2 6 9 1 1 – – – – – –Theft and handling 20 20 – 12 5 1 2 – – – – – – – – –Fraud and forgery 2 2 – – – 1 1 – – – – – – – – –Drugs offences 8 8 – 3 2 – – 3 – – – – – – – –Other offences 12 12 1 2 1 3 3 1 – 1 – – – – – –Offence not recorded 6 6 – 1 1 2 – 2 – – – – – – – –


(1) Section 53 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933 was repealed on 25th August 2000 and its provisions were transferred to Sections 90, 91 and 92 ofthe Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000.

62

Table 3.1b Population of 18-20(1) year olds in prison under sentence by type of custody, sex, offence group and length ofsentence

England and Wales, 30 June 200218 to 20 year olds(1) Number of persons

Offence group

Allcustody

types

Detention in a Young Offender Institution/Determinate sentences under S91 of the Powers of Criminal Courts(Sentencing) Act 2000

Allsentencelengths

Length of sentence

Up to3 months

Over 3months

up to andincluding6 months

Over 6months

less than12

months

12months

Over 12months

up to18

months

Over 18months

up to3 years

Over 3years less

than4 years


5 years

Over 5yearsup to

10 years


Custodyfor life


Act 2000(2)

Section90

Section91

Life

All males and females 6,771 6,641 321 608 439 346 748 2,076 576 454 548 500 26 40 72 18

All males 6,388 6,269 290 568 406 324 699 1,969 555 434 529 470 23 37 66 16

Offences with immediatecustodial sentence 6,388 6,269 290 568 406 324 699 1,969 555 434 529 470 23 37 66 16Violence against the

person 1,319 1,217 46 86 64 69 142 315 92 114 143 142 5 32 65 5Rape 141 129 1 – – – – 13 5 12 25 64 9 4 1 6Other sexual offences 71 71 – 5 3 4 9 32 2 7 5 4 – – – –Burglary 1,255 1,255 24 55 80 69 188 588 113 45 67 26 – – – –Robbery 1,377 1,373 27 15 18 35 72 449 216 178 197 164 3 1 – 3Theft and handling 593 593 82 138 89 33 80 126 20 6 8 12 – – – –Fraud and forgery 28 28 3 8 6 – 2 9 1 – – – – – – –Drugs offences 484 484 5 16 18 23 44 194 60 46 43 32 2 – – –Other offences 937 936 95 227 102 64 136 198 34 19 35 22 4 – – 1Offence not recorded 183 183 9 19 28 28 27 45 13 6 5 3 – – – –


All females 383 372 31 39 33 22 49 106 20 20 19 30 3 3 6 2Offences with immediate

custodial sentence 383 372 31 39 33 22 49 106 20 20 19 30 3 3 6 2Violence against the

person 72 63 5 6 4 9 7 17 – 5 4 5 – 3 6 –Rape 1 1 – – – – – – – – – 1 – – – –Other sexual offences – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –Burglary 38 38 1 1 5 6 11 9 4 – – 1 – – – –Robbery 68 68 – 2 4 1 6 40 5 5 3 1 – – – –Theft and handling 59 59 17 20 14 1 3 5 – – – – – – – –Fraud and forgery 2 2 – 1 – – 1 – – – – – – – – –Drugs offences 101 101 1 3 2 3 15 25 11 8 11 20 2 – – –Other offences 35 33 6 6 4 1 4 9 – 1 1 – 1 – – 2Offence not recorded 7 7 1 1 – 1 2 1 – – – 1 – – – –


(1) Includes young offenders aged 20 at conviction, who have not been reclassified as part of the adult population.(2) Section 53 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933 was repealed on 25th August 2000 and its provisions were transferred to Sections 90, 91 and 92 of

the Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000.

63

Table 3.2 Population of young people in prison by sex, age and type of custody

England and Wales, 30 June 2002Young offenders Number of persons

Sex and age

Allcustody

types

Type of custody

Detention ina YoungOffender

Institution/Detention

and Trainingorder

Section 90-92of the Powersof Criminal

Courts(Sentencing)Act 2000, and

custody for life

In defaultof payment

of a fine

Noncriminal

Untried Convictedunsentenced

All males and females 11,610 7,863 992 – 64 1,535 1,156

All males 10,951 7,421 947 – 58 1,446 1,079

Aged 15-17 2,490 1,561 419 – 2 316 191Aged 15 302 215 28 – – 33 26Aged 16 753 484 115 – – 99 55Aged 17 1,434 863 276 – 2 183 110

Aged 18-20(1) 8,461 5,860 528 – 56 1,130 888Aged 18 2,065 1,175 270 – 6 345 269Aged 19 2,717 1,902 134 – 17 363 301Aged 20 3,091 2,232 86 – 32 423 318Aged 21 589 551 38 – – – –

All females 659 442 45 – 6 89 77

Aged 15-17 117 85 19 – – 5 7Aged 15 9 7 2 – – – –Aged 16 27 22 5 – – – –Aged 17 81 56 12 – – 5 7

Aged 18-20 542 357 26 – 6 84 70Aged 18 142 85 13 – 2 21 21Aged 19 170 113 6 – 2 26 24Aged 20 201 135 3 – 2 37 25Aged 21 29 24 5 – – – –

(1) Includes young offenders aged 20 at conviction, who have not been reclassified as part of the adult population.

64

Table 3.3 Population of prisoners aged 17 and under held in prison under sentence by sex, offence groupand type of custody

England and Wales, 30 June 2002Juveniles Number of persons

Sex and offenceType of custody

All custodytypes

Detention andTraining order

Section 90-92of the


Act 2000

All juveniles(1) 2,084 1,646 438

All males 1,980 1,561 419Violence against the person 336 234 102Rape 28 2 26Other Sexual offences 28 17 12Burglary 395 346 49Robbery 495 316 179Theft and handling 303 300 3Fraud and forgery 3 3 –Drugs Offences 42 31 11Other offences 278 263 16Offence not recorded 72 50 22

All females 104 85 19Violence against the person 27 19 8Rape – – –Other Sexual offences – – –Burglary 9 8 1Robbery 19 14 5Theft and handling 20 20 –Fraud and forgery 2 2 –Drugs Offences 8 6 2Other offences 12 10 2Offence not recorded 6 6 –

(1) Juveniles are inmates aged under 18.

65

Table 3.4 Population of prisoners aged 17 and under held in prison by type of custody and sex

England and Wales, 30 JuneJuveniles(1) Number of persons

1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

Male juvenilesAged 15Total 181 217 254 244 218 283 300 302Untried 34 35 46 48 29 35 41 33Convicted unsentenced 20 39 28 38 15 16 7 26Detention and Training Order 115 129 140 139 145 201 224 215Sections 90 - 92 of the Powers of

Criminal Courts (Sentencing)Act 2000 12 14 40 19 29 31 28 28

Aged 16Total 453 582 643 675 639 664 704 753Untried 104 133 114 100 106 82 69 99Convicted unsentenced 51 64 57 83 49 32 29 55Detention and Training Order 256 309 354 373 396 438 517 484Sections 90 - 92 of the Powers of


Aged 17Total 992 1,225 1,511 1,468 1,479 1,398 1,340 1,434Untried 260 304 297 286 285 242 182 183Convicted unsentenced 200 187 246 205 209 147 105 110Detention and Training Order 390 580 713 709 736 789 850 863Sections 90-92 of the Powers ofCriminal Courts (Sentencing) Act2000 142 154 255 268 249 220 203 276In default of payment of a fine – – – – – – – –Aged 15 to 17Total 1,626 2,024 2,408 2,387 2,336 2,345 2,344 2,490Untried 398 472 457 434 420 359 292 316Convicted unsentenced 271 290 331 326 273 195 141 191Detention and Training Order 761 1,018 1,207 1,221 1,277 1,428 1,591 1,561Sections 90 - 92 of the Powers of


In default of payment of a fine – – – – – – – –

Female juvenilesAged 15Total 1 7 9 7 7 3 7 9Untried – – – – – – – –Convicted unsentenced – – – – – – – –Detention and Training Order 1 7 7 7 7 3 7 7Sections 90 - 92 of the Powers of

Criminal Courts (Sentencing)Act 2000 – – 2 – – – – 2

Aged 16Total 13 17 12 20 22 28 12 27Untried – – – – – – – –Convicted unsentenced 1 – – – – – – –Detention and Training Order 8 16 12 20 22 26 12 22Sections 90 - 92 of the Powers of

Criminal Courts (Sentencing)Act 2000 4 1 – – – 2 – 5

Aged 17Total 35 45 50 52 57 58 71 81Untried 11 8 11 8 13 13 13 5Convicted unsentenced 6 4 7 9 6 7 12 7Detention and Training Order 16 32 29 30 32 36 38 56Sections 90 - 92 of the Powers of


In default of payment of a fine – – – – – – – –Aged 15 to 17Total 49 69 71 79 86 89 90 117Untried 11 8 11 8 13 13 13 5Convicted unsentenced 7 4 7 9 6 7 12 7Detention and Training Order 25 55 48 57 61 65 57 85Sections 90 - 92 of the Powers of


In default of payment of a fine – – – – – – – –(1) Juveniles are inmates aged under 18.

66

Table 3.5 Population in prison under sentence by sex and offence group

England and Wales, 30 JuneYoung offenders Number of persons

Offence group 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002


All males 5,443 4,925 5,137 5,659 6,363 7,698 8,212 8,025 8,160 8,315 8,368

Offences with immediate custodialsentence 5,354 4,830 5,064 5,587 6,349 7,684 8,201 8,012 8,153 8,313 8,368Violence against the person 715 838 846 983 1,114 1,254 1,414 1,502 1,445 1,633 1,655Rape 118 91 89 89 101 126 142 148 159 151 170Other sexual offences 43 58 40 51 51 34 80 88 79 71 99Burglary 1,360 1,217 1,356 1,462 1,657 2,018 2,143 2,102 1,995 1,666 1,650Robbery 797 854 828 978 1,245 1,663 1,847 1,739 1,557 1,776 1,878Theft and handling 524 587 641 716 697 744 764 828 1,109 1,047 891Fraud and forgery 19 10 10 16 20 26 33 32 37 39 31Drugs offences 123 161 136 199 304 385 421 437 485 509 527Other offences 640 566 606 667 715 860 908 915 1,081 1,181 1,212Offence not recorded 1,015 448 512 426 445 574 449 221 207 240 255

In default of payment of a fine 79 95 73 72 14 14 11 13 7 2 –

Percentage(1)

Violence against the person 16.5 19.1 18.6 19.0 18.9 17.6 18.2 19.3 18.2 20.2 20.4Rape 2.7 2.1 2.0 1.7 1.7 1.8 1.8 1.9 2.0 1.9 2.1Other sexual offences 1.0 1.3 0.9 1.0 0.9 0.5 1.0 1.1 1.0 0.9 1.2Burglary 31.3 27.8 29.8 28.3 28.1 28.4 27.6 27.0 25.1 20.6 20.3Robbery 18.4 19.5 18.2 18.9 21.1 23.4 23.8 22.3 19.6 22.0 23.1Theft and handling 12.1 13.4 14.1 13.9 11.8 10.5 9.9 10.6 14.0 13.0 11.0Fraud and forgery 0.4 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.3 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.5 0.5 0.4Drugs offences 2.8 3.7 3.0 3.9 5.1 5.4 5.4 5.6 6.1 6.3 6.5Other offences 14.7 12.9 13.3 12.9 12.1 12.1 11.7 11.7 13.6 14.6 14.9

Total 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

All females 139 156 139 183 252 251 309 318 377 391 487

Offences with immediate custodialsentence 136 150 138 180 251 250 309 317 377 391 487Violence against the person 26 38 39 39 67 61 61 81 78 85 100Rape – – – – 1 1 1 – – 1 1Other sexual offences 1 1 – 3 1 – 1 2 2 1 –Burglary 11 12 9 14 28 17 26 38 40 40 47Robbery 19 22 23 36 45 68 73 42 60 67 87Theft and handling 18 18 17 22 34 26 42 48 71 62 79Fraud and forgery 1 3 – 1 2 2 6 – 4 3 4Drugs offences 14 18 13 36 35 47 51 60 78 83 109Other offences 15 23 24 15 28 20 32 31 35 37 47Offence not recorded 31 15 13 14 10 8 16 15 9 12 13

In default of payment of a fine 3 6 1 3 1 1 – 1 – – –

Percentage(1)

Violence against the person 24.8 28.1 31.2 23.5 27.8 25.2 20.8 26.8 21.2 22.4 21.1Rape – – – – 0.4 0.4 0.3 – 0.0 0.3 0.2Other sexual offences 1.0 0.7 – 1.8 0.4 – 0.3 0.7 0.5 0.3 0.0Burglary 10.5 8.9 7.2 8.4 11.6 7.0 8.9 12.6 10.9 10.6 9.9Robbery 18.1 16.3 18.4 21.7 18.7 28.1 24.9 13.9 16.3 17.7 18.3Theft and handling 17.1 13.3 13.6 13.3 14.1 10.7 14.3 15.9 19.3 16.4 16.7Fraud and forgery 1.0 2.2 – 0.6 0.8 0.8 2.0 – 1.1 0.8 0.8Drugs offences 13.3 13.3 10.4 21.7 14.5 19.4 17.4 19.9 21.2 21.9 23.0Other offences 14.3 17.0 19.2 9.0 11.6 8.3 10.9 10.3 9.5 9.8 9.9

Total 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

(1) Excluding offence not recorded.

67

Table 3.6 Population of male young offenders in prison under sentence by number of previousconvictions(1)(2)

England and Wales, 30 JuneYoung male offenders

Percentage(3)

YearSample

Size

Allyoung

offenders

Previousconvictionsnot found(3)

Number of previous convictions

11 andNil 1-2 3-6 7-10 over

1993 2,072 4,830 4 18 22 36 14 61994 2,069 5,064 4 15 23 33 19 71995 2,562 5,587 5 18 22 29 17 91996 3,281 6,349 10 21 21 27 13 81997 3,630 7,684 7 17 23 31 14 71998 3,810 8,201 4 19 23 32 14 81999 4,026 8,012 7 17 20 31 15 102000 3,838 8,112 15 17 20 28 12 82001 4,027 8,262 15 17 20 27 13 8(1) Excludes fine defaulters.(2) Rounded estimates which therefore may not add to 100.(3) From 1996 more stringent criteria for accepting a possible match to records on the Home Office Offenders Index have been applied

that will have tended to increase the number of instances where previous convictions are not found.

68

Table 3.7 Population in prison under sentence by sex, type of custody and length of sentence

England and Wales, 30 JuneYoung offenders

Sex, type of custody and length ofsentence 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002


All males 5,433 4,925 5,137 5,659 6,363 7,698 8,212 8,025 8,160 8,315 8,368

Sentenced to Immediate Custody 5,354 4,830 5,064 5,587 6,349 7,684 8,201 8,012 8,153 8,313 8,368Up to and including 3 months 337 304 280 270 288 304 310 379 368 350 310Over 3 months up to and including

6 months 621 603 705 747 706 806 809 833 1,167 1,188 964Over 6 months less than 12 months 479 610 660 636 615 664 652 581 720 762 68012 months 482 480 433 448 499 466 520 452 541 607 601Over 12 months up to and including

18 months 844 543 540 681 830 943 1,056 979 939 1,074 1,067Over 18 months up to and including

3 years 1,567 1,334 1,374 1,563 1,994 2,519 2,561 2,518 2,330 2,159 2,358Over 3 years less than 4 years 150 149 188 210 265 445 512 538 578 574 6264 years 282 265 270 329 393 497 567 521 440 464 501Over 4 years up to and including

5 years 245 224 252 250 342 475 557 547 444 509 583Over 5 years up to and including

10 years 248 226 264 351 320 436 503 506 458 464 505Over 10 years less than life 12 15 15 19 22 29 33 27 22 25 23Life 87 77 83 83 75 100 121 131 144 137 147

In default of payment of a fine 79 95 73 72 14 14 11 13 7 2 –

All females 139 156 139 183 252 251 309 318 377 391 487

Sentenced to Immediate Custody 136 150 138 180 251 250 309 317 377 391 487Up to and including 3 months 8 20 14 10 21 20 27 29 28 33 32Over 3 months up to and including

6 months 20 20 21 26 44 26 40 43 69 54 60Over 6 months less than 12 months 9 16 13 20 28 19 27 26 39 34 5212 months 7 16 13 15 25 15 27 30 25 33 36Over 12 months up to and including

18 months 18 14 20 16 23 38 47 36 46 40 64Over 18 months up to and including

3 years 45 37 22 51 60 67 86 82 93 105 131Over 3 years less than 4 years 3 3 5 7 10 8 4 14 16 14 224 years 10 6 12 16 9 19 20 16 15 16 24Over 4 years up to and including


10 years 6 10 5 6 10 10 15 23 21 25 30Over 10 years less than life – – – – – – – 1 – – 3Life 4 4 5 5 5 9 5 8 7 10 13

In default of payment of a fine 3 6 1 3 1 1 – 1 – – –

69

Table 3.8 Receptions into prison under sentence: by age, sex and offence

England and Wales 2002Young offenders Number of persons

Immediate custodial In default ofsentence payment of a fine

Offence Males Females Males Females All

15–17 18–20 All 15–17 18–20 All

All offences 5,392 13,512 18,904 346 986 1,332 107 3 110

Violence against the person 892 2,226 3,118 88 150 238 6 – 6Murder 10 30 40 – 2 2 – – –Manslaughter 16 28 44 – 5 5 – – –Other homicide and

attempted homicide 42 137 179 4 8 12 – – –Wounding 458 1,129 1,587 47 55 102 2 – 2Assaults 259 614 873 32 63 95 2 – 2Cruelty to children – 3 3 – 5 5 – – –Other offences of violence

against the person 107 285 392 5 12 17 2 – 2

Sexual offences 91 123 214 – – – – – –Buggery and indecency

between males 3 1 4 – – – – – –Rape 30 61 91 – – – – – –Gross indecency with

children 6 11 17 – – – – – –Other sexual offences 52 50 102 – – – – – –

Burglary 890 1,705 2,595 24 60 84 6 – 6

Robbery 889 1,061 1,950 70 78 148 – – –

Theft and handling 1,031 2,764 3,795 71 334 405 15 – 15Taking and driving away 477 753 1,230 4 8 12 – – –Other thefts 492 1,859 2,351 63 308 371 15 – 15Handling stolen goods 62 152 214 4 18 22 – – –

Fraud and forgery 18 166 184 6 37 43 3 – 3Fraud 17 159 176 6 33 39 2 – 2Forgery 1 7 8 – 4 4 1 – 1

Drugs offences 112 678 790 19 122 141 – – –

Other offences 1,340 4,402 5,742 49 191 240 42 3 45Arson 45 50 95 2 3 5 – – –Criminal damage 74 218 292 3 16 19 4 1 5In charge or driving under

the influence of drink ordrugs 28 170 198 1 1 2 – – –

Other motoring offences 476 2,099 2,575 3 21 24 20 – 20Drunkenness 8 29 37 – – – 2 – 2Blackmail 3 11 14 – 2 2 – – –Kidnapping 4 29 33 2 2 4 – – –Affray 129 332 461 8 13 21 – – –Violent disorder 70 173 243 1 5 6 2 – 2Perjury/Libel/Pervert the

course of justice 5 91 96 2 9 11 1 – 1Threat/disorderly behaviour 70 162 232 3 10 13 3 2 5Breach of Court Order 319 779 1,098 19 81 100 5 – 5Other Criminal offences 106 242 348 5 27 32 4 – 4Other 3 17 20 – 1 1 1 – 1

Offence not recorded 129 387 516 19 14 33 35 – 35

70

Table 3.9 Receptions into prison under immediate custodial sentence: by age, sex, offence group, type of custody andlength of sentence

England and Wales 2002Young people Number of persons

Sex, age and offence

Allcustody

typesDetention in a young offender institution/Detention and Training order

Allsentencelengths

Length of sentence

Up toand

including3 months

Over 3months

up toand

including6 months

Over 6months

less than12

months

12months

Over 12months

up toand

including18

months

Over 18months

up toand

including3 years

Over 3years less

than 4years

4 years Over 4yearsup toand

including5 years

Over 5yearsup toand

including10 years


Custodyfor life


Act 2000(1)

Section90

Section91

deter-minate

sentences

Section91

Life

All males and females 20,236 19,608 4,062 6,440 2,334 1,587 1,883 2,185 371 240 270 221 15 41 18 559 10

All males 18,904 18,310 3,696 6,047 2,192 1,494 1,767 2,064 345 229 265 197 14 37 18 530 9

Aged 15-17 5,392 4,874 111 2,217 899 734 657 240 2 7 3 4 – – 8 502 8Violence against the

person 892 791 5 410 139 113 93 28 – – 2 1 – – 7 90 4Sexual offences 91 62 – 20 15 13 10 2 – – 1 1 – – – 28 1Burglary 890 832 13 317 160 157 138 46 – 1 – – – – – 58 –Robbery 889 665 8 123 121 161 163 83 1 3 – 2 – – – 222 2Theft and handling 1,031 999 8 564 195 115 86 30 – 1 – – – – – 31 1Fraud and forgery 18 18 – 13 4 1 – – – – – – – – – – –Drugs offences 112 94 – 25 24 13 20 10 1 1 – – – – – 18 –Other offences 1,340 1,306 77 717 223 141 120 27 – 1 – – – – 1 33 –Offence not recorded 129 107 – 28 18 20 27 14 – – – – – – – 22 –

Aged 18-20 13,512 13,436 3,585 3,830 1,293 760 1,110 1,824 343 222 262 193 14 37 10 28 1Violence against the

person 2,226 2,183 493 564 222 148 216 314 63 53 55 48 7 26 8 9 –Sexual offences 123 120 10 17 8 8 15 24 7 8 9 14 – 2 – – 1Burglary 1,705 1,700 238 342 180 152 242 426 53 22 34 11 – – – 5 –Robbery 1,061 1,046 89 61 46 61 126 362 94 75 65 62 5 5 1 9 –Theft and handling 2,764 2,762 987 905 301 128 163 207 28 8 23 12 – 1 – 1 –Fraud and forgery 166 166 47 61 23 6 10 15 2 1 – 1 – – – – –Drugs offences 678 676 86 90 47 56 72 187 49 29 36 23 1 1 – 1 –Other offences 4,402 4,396 1,565 1,710 381 161 232 232 33 25 35 21 1 2 1 3 –Offence not recorded 387 387 70 80 85 40 34 57 14 1 5 1 – – – – –

All females 1,332 1,298 366 393 142 93 116 121 26 11 5 24 1 4 – 29 1

Aged 15-17 346 319 4 158 56 42 36 23 – – – – – – – 26 1Violence against the

person 88 84 2 41 19 16 4 2 – – – – – – – 4 –Sexual offences – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –Burglary 24 20 – 12 1 3 2 2 – – – – – – – 4 –Robbery 70 58 – 18 8 6 11 15 – – – – – – – 11 1Theft and handling 71 71 – 49 16 3 3 – – – – – – – – – –Fraud and forgery 6 6 1 3 1 – 1 – – – – – – – – – –Drugs offences 19 15 – 4 3 2 5 1 – – – – – – – 4 –Other offences 49 46 1 25 7 6 6 1 – – – – – – – 3 –Offence not recorded 19 19 – 6 1 6 4 2 – – – – – – – – –

Aged 18-20 986 979 362 235 86 51 80 98 26 11 5 24 1 4 – 3 –Violence against the

person 150 146 61 36 7 8 13 11 2 3 – 5 – 4 – – –Sexual offences – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –Burglary 60 60 12 8 4 13 11 7 4 – – 1 – – – – –Robbery 78 78 5 6 7 4 12 34 5 3 1 1 – – – – –Theft and handling 334 334 174 107 35 5 6 7 – – – – – – – – –Fraud and forgery 37 37 15 13 4 1 1 2 1 – – – – – – – –Drugs offences 122 119 9 7 9 13 21 23 11 5 4 16 1 – – 3 –Other offences 191 191 80 55 19 7 14 12 3 – – 1 – – – – –Offence not recorded 14 14 6 3 1 – 2 2 – – – – – – – – –

(1) Section 53 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933 was repealed on 25th August 2000 and its provisions were transferred to Sections 90-92 of thePowers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000.

71

Table 3.10 Receptions(1) into prison by age, sex and type of custody

England and Wales 2002Young offenders Number of persons

All Age on remand/sentence

Sex and type of custodyyoung

15 16 17 18 19 20offenders

All males and females on remand(1) 20,688 592 1,180 3,655 4,826 5,164 5,271

All males and females under sentence 20,346 1,007 1,888 2,844 4,143 5,219 5,245

All males on remand(1) 19,123 592 1,180 3,415 4,441 4,742 4,753Untried 13,283 516 1,002 2,733 3,015 3,046 2,971Convicted unsentenced 10,842 231 516 1,591 2,602 2,933 2,969

All males under sentence 19,011 967 1,767 2,659 3,889 4,893 4,836Detention in a young offender

institution/Detention and TrainingOrder 18,311 903 1,619 2,352 3,834 4,832 4,771

Custody for life 36 – – – 6 12 18Section 90 of Powers of Criminal

Courts (Sentencing) Act 18 – 3 5 8 1 1Section 91 of Powers of Criminal

Courts (Sentencing) Act 539 64 145 301 27 2 –In default of payment of a fine 107 – – 1 14 46 46

All females on remand(1) 1,565 – – 240 385 422 518Untried 865 – – 143 209 241 272Convicted unsentenced 1,005 – – 135 240 266 364

All females under sentence 1,335 40 121 185 254 326 409Detention in a young offender

institution/Detention and TrainingOrder 1,298 37 110 172 249 323 407

Custody for life 4 – – – 2 1 1Section 90 of Powers of Criminal

Courts (Sentencing) Act – – – – – – –Section 91 of Powers of Criminal

Courts (Sentencing) Act 30 3 11 13 3 – –In default of payment of a fine 3 – – – – 2 1

(1) Total receptions cannot be calculated by adding together receptions in each category because there is double counting (Seeparagraph 27 of the Notes). However double counting has been allowed for in the figures of receptions of prisoners under remandwhere the figures for “all remand” record only once a person received as an untried prisoner who is subsequently received also as aconvicted unsentenced prisoner.

72

Table 3.11 Receptions into prison under an immediate custodial sentence: by age, sex and offence group

England and WalesMale young offenders Number of persons

Age and offence group 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

All males 12,830 12,786 14,447 15,680 16,881 17,890 18,528 19,787 20,097 19,699 18,904

Aged under 21 12,830 12,786 14,447 15,680 16,881 17,890 18,528 19,787 20,097 19,699 18,904Violence against the person 1,593 1,646 1,802 1,980 2,288 2,549 2,780 2,877 3,137 3,325 3,118Sexual offences 137 155 114 165 152 173 200 227 182 192 214Burglary 3,608 3,405 3,746 3,923 3,752 3,916 3,797 3,733 3,329 2,881 2,595Robbery 1,024 1,039 1,047 1,247 1,681 1,796 1,687 1,662 1,610 1,786 1,950Theft and handling 2,463 3,087 3,778 4,005 3,912 4,032 4,397 4,863 4,946 4,420 3,795Fraud and forgery 49 70 89 80 137 125 159 195 175 202 184Drugs offences 335 319 322 434 581 632 706 815 819 886 790Other offences 2,444 2,653 3,141 3,533 3,622 4,022 4,510 5,155 5,426 5,554 5,742Offence not recorded(1) 1,177 412 408 313 756 645 292 260 473 453 516

Aged under 18 3,344 3,564 3,971 4,505 5,071 5,365 5,283 5,523 5,530 5,598 5,392Violence against the person 385 425 424 546 665 715 781 835 897 1,001 892Sexual offences 35 47 33 46 62 65 65 95 75 79 91Burglary 1,056 1,070 1,211 1,258 1,284 1,421 1,315 1,209 1,107 973 890Robbery 293 330 378 521 704 777 706 689 689 777 889Theft and handling 726 1,004 1,192 1,268 1,219 1,230 1,232 1,355 1,352 1,254 1,031Fraud and forgery 4 4 10 8 14 15 25 25 20 20 18Drugs offences 36 32 26 43 63 74 101 118 101 139 112Other offences 543 555 625 721 789 857 964 1,112 1,189 1,253 1,340Offence not recorded(1) 266 97 72 94 271 211 94 85 100 102 129

Aged 18-20 9,486 9,222 10,476 11,175 11,810 12,525 13,245 14,264 14,567 14,101 13,512Violence against the person 1,208 1,221 1,378 1,434 1,623 1,834 1,999 2,042 2,240 2,324 2,226Sexual offences 102 108 81 119 90 108 135 132 107 113 123Burglary 2,552 2,335 2,535 2,665 2,468 2,495 2,482 2,524 2,222 1,908 1,705Robbery 731 709 669 726 977 1,019 981 973 921 1,009 1,061Theft and handling 1,737 2,083 2,586 2,737 2,693 2,802 3,165 3,508 3,594 3,166 2,764Fraud and forgery 45 66 79 72 123 110 134 170 155 182 166Drugs offences 299 287 296 391 518 558 605 697 718 747 678Other offences 1,901 2,098 2,516 2,812 2,833 3,165 3,546 4,043 4,237 4,301 4,402Offence not recorded(1) 911 315 336 219 485 434 198 175 373 351 387

(1) See paragraph 2 of Appendix 2.

73

Table 3.11 Receptions into prison under an immediate custodial sentence: by age, sex and offence group

England and WalesFemale young offenders Number of persons

Age and offence group 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

All females 344 419 509 564 712 853 1,071 1,233 1,236 1,270 1,332

Aged under 21 344 419 509 564 712 853 1,071 1,233 1,236 1,270 1,332Violence against the

person 59 93 128 115 149 230 210 234 249 278 238Sexual offences 2 – – 4 – – 1 2 1 3 –Burglary 26 39 45 51 49 50 74 90 60 65 84Robbery 32 46 58 60 86 111 105 74 84 119 148Theft and handling 87 106 144 168 222 208 346 436 462 452 405Fraud and forgery 12 16 9 23 25 26 41 35 41 35 43Drugs offences 27 26 34 47 62 89 96 108 113 135 141Other offences 51 68 69 76 92 119 162 217 181 154 240Offence not recorded(1) 48 25 22 20 27 20 36 37 45 29 33

Aged under 18 79 102 149 166 214 252 302 354 304 305 346Violence against the

person 18 34 54 48 68 83 96 95 109 105 88Sexual offences – – – 3 – – – – – 1 –Burglary 8 4 15 21 15 15 25 22 17 18 24Robbery 15 22 28 28 40 66 50 35 33 54 70Theft and handling 15 20 31 39 43 42 56 96 81 68 71Fraud and forgery 2 3 – – 2 1 2 5 4 2 6Drugs offences 4 2 3 4 4 8 15 13 18 15 19Other offences 6 15 13 20 31 30 42 79 32 31 49Offence not recorded(1) 11 2 5 3 11 7 16 9 10 11 19

Aged 18-20 265 317 360 398 498 601 769 879 932 965 986Violence against the

person 41 59 74 67 81 147 114 139 140 173 150Sexual offences 2 – – 1 – – 1 2 1 2 –Burglary 18 35 30 30 34 35 49 68 43 47 60Robbery 17 24 30 32 46 45 55 39 51 65 78Theft and handling 72 86 113 129 179 166 290 340 381 384 334Fraud and forgery 10 13 9 23 23 25 39 30 37 33 37Drugs offences 23 24 31 43 58 81 81 95 95 120 122Other offences 45 53 56 56 61 89 120 138 149 123 191Offence not recorded(1) 37 23 17 17 16 13 20 28 35 18 14

(1) See paragraph 2 of Appendix 2.

74

Table 3.12 Receptions into prison under an immediate custodial sentence: by sex, age, type of custody and length ofsentence

England and WalesMale young offenders Number of persons

Sex, age, type of custody andlength of sentence 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

All males 12,830 12,786 14,447 15,680 16,881 17,890 18,528 19,787 20,090 19,699 18,904

Powers of Criminal Courts(Sentencing) Act 2000(1)

Section 91(2) 108 327 357 339 502 517 449 385 404 382 539Less than 12 months 12 1 8 2 – – – 3 31 42 5512 months 3 2 1 1 – 1 1 7 4 9Over 12 months up to 18

months – 24 14 4 5 4 5 6 9 5 6Over 18 months up to 3

years 70 212 243 182 242 203 209 191 187 137 225Over 3 years less than 4

years 11 10 12 38 50 61 57 44 48 47 684 years 30 38 41 79 103 73 50 57 62 68Over 4 years up to 5 years 7 19 10 36 59 78 29 45 40 39 47Over 5 years up to 10 years 3 28 29 29 53 43 61 37 23 37 51Over 10 years less than life 3 – 1 – 5 7 7 2 – – 1Life 2 – – 6 8 18 7 6 2 9 9

Detention in a young offenderinstitution/Detention andTraining Order 12,722 12,459 14,090 15,341 16,379 17,373 18,079 19,402 19,686 19,317 18,365Up to and including

3 months 2,823 2,841 3,538 3,972 3,916 4,305 4,906 5,665 4,725 3,981 3,696Over 3 months up to

6 months 3,272 3,875 4,451 4,701 4,714 4,864 5,118 5,693 6,673 6,917 6,047Over 6 months less than

12 months 1,722 1,841 2,135 2,221 2,145 2,101 2,096 2,033 2,263 2,354 2,19212 months 1,344 1,178 1,166 1,185 1,201 1,220 1,181 1,144 1,391 1,455 1,494Over 12 months up to

18 months 1,389 988 973 1,214 1,562 1,674 1,700 1,699 1,648 1,628 1,767Over 18 months up to 3

years 1,614 1,213 1,278 1,524 2,070 2,322 2,272 2,260 2,006 1,970 2,064Over 3 years less than 4

years 87 94 130 113 187 241 269 299 333 330 3454 years 165 149 133 166 199 220 174 209 211 204 229Over 4 years up to 5 years 108 121 107 128 182 183 178 178 203 222 265Over 5 years up to 10 years 153 116 139 91 134 181 134 153 174 189 197Over 10 years less than life 14 7 8 3 18 14 11 7 12 11 14Life(3) 31 36 32 23 51 48 40 62 47 56 55

(1) After August 2000, Section 53 of the C and YP Act 1933 was replaced by Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000.(2) Section 91 applies to offenders under 18 convicted of certain serious offences.(3) This includes Section 90 of the Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000 and custody for life.

75

Table 3.12 Receptions into prison under an immediate custodial sentence: by sex, age, type of custody, and length ofsentence

England and WalesFemale young offenders Number of persons

Sex, age, type of custody andlength of sentence 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

All females 344 419 509 564 712 853 1,071 1,233 1,236 1,270 1,332

Powers of Criminal Courts(Sentencing) Act 2000(1)

Section 91(2) 5 8 16 18 12 18 7 5 13 13 30Up to and including 18

months – – 2 1 – 2 – 1 1 1 2Over 18 months up to 3 years 5 8 10 11 8 8 2 2 5 4 17Over 3 years up to 4 years – – 3 2 2 4 1 1 4 3 5Over 4 years up to 5 years – – – 2 – 1 3 – 2 1 1Over 5 years up to 10 years – – 1 1 1 3 – 1 – 3 4Over 10 years less than life – – – – – – – – – – –Life – – – 1 1 – 1 – 1 1 1

Detention in a young offenderinstitution/youth custody/imprisonment 339 411 493 546 700 835 1,064 1,228 1,223 1,257 1,302Up to and including 3 months 99 145 183 213 238 336 436 532 425 411 366Over 3 months up to 6 months 101 109 137 142 196 185 279 291 400 408 393Over 6 months less than 12

months 38 55 68 57 76 74 107 113 121 120 14212 months 27 32 36 39 54 53 69 71 66 75 93Over 12 months up to 18

months 32 22 26 31 48 75 67 86 75 74 116Over 18 months up to 3 years 28 27 25 46 65 85 82 92 88 111 121Over 3 years less than 4 years 4 4 2 2 2 3 6 7 12 15 264 years 1 5 8 4 9 4 5 16 5 12 11Over 4 years up to 5 years 1 3 7 5 8 8 3 6 14 14 5Over 5 years up to 10 years 7 4 – 5 4 7 9 10 14 13 24Over 10 years less than life 1 – – – – – 1 – – 2 1Life(3) – 5 1 2 – 5 – 4 3 2 4

(1) After August 2000, Section 53 of the C and YP Act 1933 was replaced by Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000.(2) Section 91 applies to offenders under 18 convicted of certain serious offences.(3) This includes Section 90 of the Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000 and custody for life.

76

Table 3.13 Average time served in prison under sentence by prisoners discharged from determinatesentences on completion of sentence or on licence: by sex and length of sentence

England and Wales 2002Young offenders

Number of Months

Length of sentence(1) persons Average Average Percentagedischarged(2)

length of time served of sentencesentence under served under

sentence sentence

Including Excluding Including Excludingremand remand remand remand

time time time time

MalesAll lengths of sentence less than life 15,879 11.5 5.8 4.7 50 41Up to and including 3 months 2,826 2.1 1.1 0.9 53 43Over 3 months up to and including 6 months 5,306 4.8 2.5 2.0 52 42Over 6 months less than 12 months 2,197 8.6 4.2 3.4 49 4012 months 1,323 12.0 5.9 4.9 49 41Over 12 months up to and including 18 months 1,629 16.8 8.2 6.8 49 40Over 18 months up to and including 3 years 1,964 27.6 13.6 11.4 49 41Over 3 years less than 4 years 296 42.3 21.1 18.0 50 434 years 159 48.0 27.8 24.2 58 50Over 4 years less than life 179 62.1 35.4 31.3 57 50

FemalesAll lengths of sentence less than life 1,035 9.7 4.5 3.9 46 40

Up to and including 3 months 277 2.0 0.9 0.7 45 37Over 3 months up to and including 6 months 339 4.8 2.3 1.9 48 39Over 6 months less than 12 months 127 8.5 3.8 3.2 44 3812 months 77 12.0 5.3 4.4 44 37Over 12 months up to and including 18 months 87 17.4 7.9 6.9 45 40Over 18 months less than life 128 33.0 15.8 14.1 48 43

(1) On discharge: the sentence may change after reception if there are further charges or an appeal.(2) Excludes discharges following recall after release on licence, non-criminals, persons committed to custody for non-payment of a fine

and persons reclassified as adult prisoners.

77

Table 3.14 Average time served in prison under sentence(1) by prisoners discharged(2) from determinate sentences oncompletion of sentence or on licence: by sex and length of sentence, 1993-2002

England and WalesYoung offenders

Length of sentence(3) 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

MalesMonths

Average time served under sentenceDetention in a young offender

institution/Detention and TrainingOrder

Up to and including 3 months 1.1 1.1 1.0 1.0 1.0 0.9 0.9 0.9 0.8 0.9Over 3 months up to and including

6 months 2.2 2.1 2.1 2.1 2.1 2.0 1.9 2.0 2.1 2.0Over 6 months less than 12 months 3.8 3.7 3.6 3.6 3.6 3.6 3.4 3.5 3.7 3.412 months 5.1 4.9 4.8 4.8 4.9 5.1 4.7 4.9 5.0 4.9Over 12 months up to and including

18 months 7.0 6.6 6.4 6.5 6.7 6.8 6.6 6.6 6.9 6.8Over 18 months up to and including3 years 11.7 11.7 11.3 11.0 11.2 11.6 11.4 11.5 11.7 11.4Over 3 years less than 4 years 18.0 19.7 18.3 17.1 17.4 17.8 17.7 18.2 17.8 18.04 years 21.0 23.2 24.4 22.9 24.1 24.9 25.3 25.1 24.7 24.2Over 4 years less than life 29.4 29.4 31.6 31.1 31.5 30.1 31.0 32.8 33.3 31.3

PercentagePercentage of sentence served under

sentenceDetention in a young offender


Up to and including 3 months 44 44 44 44 43 42 42 41 36 43Over 3 months up to and including

6 months 42 42 41 41 41 41 39 41 44 42Over 6 months less than 12 months 42 42 41 41 42 41 39 40 42 4012 months 42 41 40 40 41 42 39 40 42 41Over 12 months up to and including

18 months 42 39 39 39 40 41 39 40 41 40Over 18 months up to and including

3 years 43 42 41 41 42 43 41 42 42 41Over 3 years less than 4 years 43 47 44 41 42 43 42 43 42 434 years 44 48 51 48 50 52 53 52 51 50Over 4 years less than life 44 48 51 50 51 50 49 52 52 50

FemalesMonths

Average time served under sentenceDetention in a young offender


Up to and including 3 months 1.0 1.0 0.9 0.9 0.9 0.9 0.9 0.8 0.8 0.7Over 3 months up to and including

6 months 2.3 2.3 2.2 2.1 2.2 2.1 2.0 2.0 2.0 1.9Over 6 months less than 12 months 4.0 3.9 3.9 3.8 3.8 3.7 3.3 3.3 3.5 3.212 months 5.2 5.4 4.9 5.3 5.1 5.3 4.5 4.3 4.9 4.4Over 12 months up to and including

18 months 7.2 8.4 6.6 7.6 7.5 8.1 6.8 6.5 6.6 6.9Over 18 months less than life 14.7 13.6 13.4 13.1 14.3 14.5 13.0 14.0 14.4 14.1

PercentagePercentage of sentence served under

sentenceDetention in a young offender


Up to and including 3 months 44 46 43 45 41 42 42 40 41 37Over 3 months up to and including

6 months 45 46 44 43 45 43 39 41 43 39Over 6 months less than 12 months 45 44 44 44 43 43 39 38 40 3812 months 44 45 41 44 43 44 37 36 41 37Over 12 months up to and including

18 months 44 49 40 46 44 48 40 39 38 40Over 18 months less than life 32 46 43 42 43 46 42 43 43 43

(1) Excluding time served on remand awaiting trial or sentence, which counts towards the discharge of sentence.(2) Excluding discharges following recall after release on licence, non-criminals, persons committed to custody for non-payment of a fine and persons

reclassified as adult prisoners.(3) On discharge; the sentence may change after reception if there are further charges or an appeal.

78

Table 3.15 Average sentence length of receptions into prison under sentence(1): by sex, age and courtsentencing

England and WalesYoung offenders Months

Court sentencing(2)

Year and age CrownCourt

Magistrate’sCourt

Allcourts

All malesAged 15–171992(3) 14.8 4.6 9.21993 16.4 5.1 8.61994 16.5 5.2 8.51995 17.3 5.2 9.61996 20.0 5.5 11.11997 20.5 5.4 11.61998 19.4 5.1 10.71999 18.7 4.7 10.32000 19.6 6.4 10.52001 20.3 7.2 10.42002 22.0 8.1 12.2

Aged 18–201992(3) 19.3 4.0 14.01993 19.0 4.3 12.71994 19.6 4.4 12.41995 20.9 4.1 12.71996 20.4 4.8 13.21997 21.2 4.6 13.41998 20.7 4.3 12.51999 20.7 4.2 12.02000 20.8 4.2 11.72001 21.1 4.3 12.22002 22.5 4.4 13.0

All femalesAged 15–171992(3) 11.4 4.2 8.11993 13.3 3.7 6.91994 14.8 4.1 8.21995 18.5 3.5 10.01996 15.1 4.3 8.31997 15.6 3.7 9.61998 14.1 3.9 7.61999 14.3 3.6 7.12000 15.8 5.5 8.62001 19.4 5.8 9.42002 20.0 7.0 11.4

Aged 18–201992(3) 16.1 3.3 11.51993 16.8 3.8 11.01994 15.4 3.9 9.91995 16.3 3.4 10.41996 16.5 3.3 10.81997 17.4 3.1 10.31998 17.5 3.4 9.31999 18.2 3.4 9.52000 18.5 3.5 9.62001 21.3 3.6 10.42002 22.6 3.6 12.0(1) Excluding those sentenced to life.(2) Type of court originally imposing the sentence; further sentences may have been awarded at a different court.(3) Figures for 1992 are subject to a wider margin of error than those for other years because of a particularly large number of cases with

court not recorded; such cases are included in the “All courts” column.

79

CHAPTER 4

ADULT PRISONERS UNDER SENTENCE

Key pointsPopulation

● The population of adult prisoners under sentence was 48,450 on 30th June 2002, 6 per cent higher than2001 and 73 per cent higher than mid-1993 (the lowest annual population of the decade).

● Males account for most of the sentenced adult population, about 94 per cent in 2002. The proportionof females has however been increasing, from 3.5 per cent in 1992 to 5.9 per cent in 2002.

● The proportion serving longer sentences (4 years or more including life) increased between 1992 and2002 from 48 per cent to 54 per cent for males but decreased slightly from 45 per cent to 44 per centfor females.

● In 2002, 4 offence groups accounted for two-thirds of adult male prisoners for whom offence type wasrecorded: 22 per cent were serving sentences for violence against the person, 18 per cent for drugsoffences, 16 per cent for burglary and 12 per cent for robbery.

● Over two fifths (44 per cent) of adult females for whom offence type was recorded were serving asentence for drugs offences, 16 per cent for violence against the person and 14 per cent for theft andhandling.

● In 2001 (the latest year available) 15 per cent of sentenced adult males and 34 per cent of sentencedfemales were known to have no previous convictions. In contrast, 47 per cent of sentenced adultmales and 24 per cent of females had 7 or more previous convictions.

Receptions

● In 2002, there were 73,380 receptions of adults into prison under sentence, 5.5 per cent more than in2001 and 99 per cent more than in 1992 (the lowest annual receptions in the last 10 years).

● Over the decade, adult female receptions rose by 252 per cent compared to a rise of 91 per cent inadult male receptions.

● The average sentence length of adults received (excluding life sentences) from the Crown Court rosefrom 26.7 months in 1992 to 30.1 months in 2002 for adult males, and from 20.3 months to 25.8 monthsfor adult females over the same period.

● Excluding fine defaulters and offence not recorded, half of adult male receptions were in 3 offencegroups: violence against the person, burglary and theft and handling; a further 31 per cent werereceived for ‘other’, mainly motoring, offences. Two-fifths (41 per cent) of all adult femalereceptions were for theft and handling.

Discharges

● 69,900 adults were discharged from determinate sentences in 2002, having served on average 8.7months (including time on remand).

● On average 54 per cent of the sentence was served before discharge (including time spent onremand).

● Adult females discharged in 2002 spent on average 6.1 months in prison compared with 9.0 monthsfor adult males (both including time on remand).

80

Population (Tables 4.1-4.4)

4.1 There were 48,450 sentenced adults in prison on 30th June 2002 (adults are those aged 21 years andover). This was about 2950 (6 per cent) more than a year earlier. It was 73 per cent higher thanmid-1993.

4.2 Since 1992 the sentenced population has increased most years, apart from 1993 and 1999. Thedecrease between mid-1992 and mid-1993 reflected the effects of the Criminal Justice Act 1991,which encouraged the use of community penalties except for the most serious offences. The changein legislative and political climate after that (see chapter Appendix 1) led to a sustained increase of56 per cent in the sentenced adult population in the 5 years to mid-1998. The slight fall in populationin 1999 was due to the introduction of Home Detention Curfew (see Appendix 1 for more details).The underlying upward trend led to renewed growth to mid-2002.

4.3 Males accounted for 45,600 (about 94 per cent) of the sentenced adult population in 2002. Therewere 2,850 females in mid-2002, accounting for 5.9 per cent of the adult sentenced population, anincrease from 3.5 per cent in 1992.

4.4 Estimates based on a sample of the prison population (see Appendix 2) show that 15 per cent ofsentenced adult males and 34 per cent of sentenced adult females in prison in 2001 were known tohave no previous convictions (this is the latest year for which data are available). In contrast, 47 percent of males and 24 per cent of females had 7 or more previous convictions. However informationwas missing for 8 per cent of males and 14 per cent of females.

4.5 The following descriptions of offence and sentence length exclude fine defaulters. Numbers of finedefaulters in prison have fallen substantially over the last decade, from 300 in mid-1992 to 34 inmid-2002.

Figure 4.1

PRISON POPULATION OF SENTENCED ADULT MALES BY LENGTH OFSENTENCE, 30 JUNE 1992-2002

50,000

45,000

40,000

35,000

30,000

25,000

20,000

15,000

10,000

5,000

01992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

Year

Less than 12 months


4 years or more (incl. Life)

Num

ber

of p

erso

ns

81

Figure 4.2

PRISON POPULATION OF SENTENCED ADULT FEMALES BY LENGTH OFSENTENCE, 30 JUNE 1992-2002

Numberofpersons

3,000

2,500

2,000

1,500

1,000

500

01992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

Year



Less than 12 months

Sentence length4.6 Over the last decade the proportion of adult males serving short sentences (less than 12 months) has

varied between 11 and 15 per cent. The proportion in 2002 was 11.5 per cent, the lowest for the last 10years. The proportion serving medium-term sentences (12 months to less than 4 years) has variedbetween 34 and 40 per cent. The figure in 2002 was 35 per cent and it has been around this level since1999, compared with 40 per cent in 1992. The strongest trend has been the increase in those servinglong sentences (4 years or more) from 48 per cent in 1992 to 54 per cent in 2002, and it has been over52 per cent since 1999.

4.7 Female sentence lengths have generally been shorter than those for males. The proportion servingshort sentences was 16 per cent in 2002 the same as in 1992, and the lowest level in the last decade.The proportion serving medium sentences was 40 per cent and the proportion serving long sentenceswas 44 per cent; these levels are similar to the 1992 levels.

Offence type4.8 Excluding offences not recorded, the main offence groups for the adult male population in mid-2002

were violence against the person (22 per cent), drugs offences (18 per cent), burglary (16 per cent)and robbery (12 per cent). It is difficult to analyse changes over time because the proportion withoutan offence recorded has varied from 1 per cent to 12 per cent, but general trends can be seen. Theproportion of adult males with drugs offences rose from 11 to 18 per cent while the share of mostother offence groups changed by 1-2 percentage points between 1992 and 2002.

82

Figure 4.3

PRISON POPULATION OF SENTENCED ADULT MALES BY TYPE OF OFFENCE 2002

Other11% Violence

22%

Sexual11%

Drugs18%

Theft & fraud10%

Robbery12%

Burglary16%

4.9 The main offence groups for adult sentenced females in mid-2002 were drugs offences (44 per cent ofall offences excluding offences not recorded), violence against the person (16 per cent) and theft andhandling (14 per cent). The main changes compared with 1992 have been an increase in theproportion with drugs offences (up from 29 per cent to 44 per cent) and robbery offences (up from 4per cent to 8 per cent), while there has been a decrease in ‘other’ offences (from 17 per cent to 8 percent), theft and handling (from 20 per cent to 14 per cent) and violence against the person (from 18per cent to 16 per cent).

Figure 4.4

PRISON POPULATION OF SENTENCED ADULT FEMALES BY TYPE OF OFFENCE 2002

Other8% Violence and sexual

16%

Burglary7%

Robbery8%

Drugs44%

Theft & fraud18%

83


4.10 In 2002 73,380 adults were received under sentence of immediate imprisonment into prison, plus afurther 1,080 fine defaulters who on average spend about a week in prison. Excluding the finedefaulters, receptions in 2002 were 5 per cent higher than in 2001, having risen continuously since1992, when there were under 37,000, with the exception of a small fall in 2001. There were 66,990receptions of male adults (up 5 per cent on 2001) and 6,390 receptions of female adults (up 7 per centon 2001). Over the last decade adult female receptions rose by 252 per cent compared with 91 percent for adult male receptions.

Ages4.11 Over half (51 per cent) of adult males received under sentence were aged 21 to 29 and a further 33 per

cent were aged 30 to 39. The figures for females were similar: 53 per cent were aged 21 to 29 and 34per cent were aged 30 to 39 in 2002. The age distribution of male receptions has shifted upward in thelast decade: in 1992 59 per cent of adult males were aged 21 to 29. For females the proportion aged 21to 29 was the same in 1992 (53 per cent).

Sentence length4.12 The proportion of adult males received with sentences of less than 12 months rose from 50 per cent in

1992 to 65 per cent in 2002, but was a little higher in 1999-2001. A further 25 per cent of adult malereceptions in 2002 had sentences of over 12 months to less than 4 years, compared with 39 per cent in1992. Ten per cent had sentences of 4 years or more (including life) compared with 11 per cent in1992. The proportion of adult females received with sentences of less than 12 months rose from 58per cent in 1992 to 72 per cent by 2002, but was higher in 1998-2001. A further 22 per cent of femalesreceived in 2002 had sentences of 12 months to less than 4 years compared with 33 per cent in 1992.Six per cent had sentences of over 4 years compared with 9 per cent in 1992.

Figure 4.5

RECEPTIONS INTO PRISON OF SENTENCED ADULT MALES BY LENGTHOF SENTENCE, 1992-2002

80,000

70,000

60,000

50,000

40,000

30,000

20,000

10,000

01992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

Year


12 months to lessthan 4 years

Less than 12 months

Num

ber

of p

erso

ns

84

Figure 4.6

RECEPTIONS INTO PRISON OF SENTENCED ADULT FEMALES BYLENGTH OF SENTENCE, 1992-2002

7,000

6,000

5,000

4,000

3,000

2,000

1,000

01992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

Year


12 months to lessthan 4 years

Less than 12 months

Num

ber

of p

erso

ns

Average sentence length4.13 Crown Court sentences for adult males received into Prison Service establishments averaged 30.1

months in 2002, up from 28.4 months in 2001 and 26.7 months in 1992, and the highest level of the lastdecade. The average sentence for adult males received from magistrates’ courts was 4.1 months andthe overall average was 15.9 months, up from 15.0 months in 2001. The average sentence for adultfemales received from the Crown Court in 2002 was 25.8 months, up from 25.3 months in 2001 and20.3 months in 1992, and also the highest level of the last decade. Females received from magistrates’courts had an average sentence of 3.5 months and the overall average was 12.5 months, down slightlyfrom 12.6 months in 2001.

Figure 4.7

AVERAGE SENTENCE LENGTH OF PRISON RECEPTIONS OF ADULTMALES, 1992-2002: BY TYPE OF COURT

35.0

30.0

25.0

20.0

15.0

10.0

5.0

01992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

Mo

nth

s

Crown Court Magistrates' Court All courts

85

Figure 4.8

AVERAGE SENTENCE LENGTH OF PRISON RECEPTIONS OFADULT FEMALES, 1992-2002: BY TYPE OF COURT

Mo

nth

s

30.0

25.0

20.0

15.0

10.0

5.0

01992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

Crown Court Magistrates' Court All courts

Offence type4.14 The largest offence group recorded for male adults received under sentence in 2002 was the ‘other’

offence group. This group accounted for 31 per cent of receptions (excluding offences not recorded).Over half of the ‘other’ offence group (58 per cent) consisted of motoring offences. Other largegroups were theft and handling (24 per cent), violence against the person (15 per cent), burglary(11 per cent) and drugs offences (8 per cent). The main changes in adult male receptions comparedwith 1992 were a reduction from 17 per cent in 1992 to 11 per cent in 2002 for burglary, an increasefrom 26 per cent to 31 per cent for ‘other’ offences and an increase from 18 per cent to 24 per cent fortheft and handling.

Figure 4.9

RECEPTIONS OF ADULT SENTENCED MALES BY OFFENCE GROUP ANDSENTENCE LENGTH, 2002

Other offences

Theft and handling

Violence againstthe person

Burglary

Drugs

Robbery

Fraud and forgery

Sexual

0 5,000 10,000 15,000 20,000 25,000

Less than 12 months 12 months to less than 4 years 4 years or more incl. Life

86

4.15 Theft and handling accounted for 41 per cent of female adult sentenced receptions in 2002 (excludingoffences not recorded) compared with 38 per cent in 1992. Fraud and forgery reduced from 11 percent to 8 per cent.

Figure 4.10

RECEPTIONS OF ADULT SENTENCED FEMALES BY OFFENCE GROUP AND SENTENCELENGTH, 2002

Theft & handling

Other offences

Drugs


Fraud and forgery

Burglary

Robbery

Sexual

0 500 1,000 1,500 2,000 2,500 3,000

Less than 12 months 12 months to less than 4 years 4 years or more incl. Life

Discharges (Table 4.11)

4.16 About 69,900 adults were discharged from determinate sentences in 2002, of which 64,000 were maleand 5,900 female. The average length of sentence of adults discharged in 2002 was 16.1 months (16.4for males and 12.3 for females). The time served in prison under sentence averaged 8.7 monthsincluding remand time (9.0 for males and 6.1 for females) and 7.3 months excluding remand time.

4.17 On average adults served 54 per cent of their sentence in prison before discharge (including remandtime). This varied by length of sentence with those on sentences of less than 4 years serving around 50per cent of their sentences in prison while those on longer sentences served around 60 per cent inprison. This reflects different arrangements for release (sentences below 4 years have automaticrelease at half-way, while those of 4 years and above have discretionary release from half-way subjectto the decision of the Parole Board). For longer sentences, females tend to serve a smallerpercentage of their sentence in prison than males, probably reflecting the different nature of theiroffences.

87


England and Wales, 30 June 2002All adults Number of persons

Offence groupAll

Length of sentence

sentencelengths

Up toand

including3 months

Over3 months

up toand

including6 months


12 months

12 months Over12 months

up toand

including18 months

Over18 months

up toand

including3 years

Over3 years

less than4 years

4 years Over4 yearsup toand

including5 years

Over5 yearsup toand

including10 years


life

Life

All adults

All offences 48,451 1,396 2,801 1,522 1,197 2,648 9,396 3,717 3,173 5,138 9,777 2,698 4,987

Offences with immediatecustodial sentence 48,417 1,377 2,798 1,522 1,197 2,645 9,393 3,717 3,173 5,135 9,775 2,698 4,987

Violence against the person 10,447 162 352 223 193 495 1,361 445 435 751 1,489 399 4,142Rape 2,752 6 2 2 – 7 26 25 55 152 1,425 581 471Other sexual offences 2,283 10 16 37 77 122 527 104 245 287 689 119 49Burglary 7,454 84 179 229 201 623 2,692 1,090 533 956 808 45 14Robbery 5,542 56 21 17 24 83 820 535 556 958 1,859 478 135Theft and handling 3,773 477 794 464 220 379 870 217 104 128 112 5 5Fraud and forgery 1,005 49 114 73 67 129 291 66 66 65 77 6 1Drugs offences 9,419 43 55 85 113 260 1,642 970 912 1,492 2,869 974 5Other offences 4,938 465 1,211 303 235 416 939 221 230 294 384 82 160Offence not recorded 804 26 52 89 68 132 226 45 36 51 64 9 5

In default of payment of a fine 34 19 4 – – 3 3 1 – 3 2 – –

Adult males

All offences 45,599 1,263 2,601 1,390 1,092 2,442 8,789 3,495 3,000 4,834 9,268 2,590 4,835Offences with immediate

custodial sentence 45,568 1,244 2,598 1,390 1,092 2,440 8,787 3,494 3,000 4,831 9,266 2,590 4,835Violence against the person 10,012 143 332 203 183 466 1,294 425 419 717 1,440 387 4,004Rape 2,748 6 2 2 – 7 26 25 54 152 1,424 579 471Other sexual offences 2,266 10 16 36 77 121 521 104 245 283 686 117 49Burglary 7,271 82 175 227 189 596 2,600 1.075 525 943 801 45 14Robbery 5,319 52 18 14 22 64 738 507 528 923 1,844 476 134Theft and handling 3,391 412 692 399 191 341 811 209 97 121 109 5 5Fraud and forgery 887 35 97 62 54 110 265 60 64 60 72 6 1Drugs offences 8,198 37 50 74 93 216 1,428 839 814 1,296 2,461 886 5Other offences 4,729 444 1,171 290 224 400 894 207 221 284 367 81 147Offence not recorded 747 23 45 83 59 120 212 44 33 51 63 9 5

In default of payment of a fine 31 19 3 – – 2 2 1 – 3 2 – –

Adult females

All offences 2,852 133 201 133 106 206 607 223 172 304 509 108 152

Offences with immediatecustodial sentence 2,849 133 200 133 106 205 606 223 172 304 509 108 152Violence against the person 435 19 20 20 10 29 68 20 16 33 49 12 138Rape 4 – – – – – – – 1 – 1 2 –Other sexual offences 17 – – 1 – 1 6 – – 4 3 2 –Burglary 183 2 4 3 12 27 92 15 8 13 7 – –Robbery 223 4 3 3 2 19 82 28 28 35 15 2 2Theft and handling 382 64 102 65 29 38 59 8 7 7 3 – –Fraud and forgery 118 13 17 12 13 19 26 6 2 5 5 – –Drugs offences 1,221 6 6 11 20 44 215 131 98 196 408 89 –Other offences 210 21 40 12 11 16 45 14 9 10 17 1 13Offence not recorded 56 3 8 6 9 12 14 1 3 – 1 – –

In default of payment of a fine 3 – 1 – – 1 1 – – – – – –

88

Table 4.2 Population of adults in prison under sentence by number of previous convictions(1)

England and Wales, 30 JuneAll adults

Percentage(2)


Year

Based onsample

size

Alladults

Previousconvictionsnot found(3)

Nil 1–2 3–6 7–10 11 and over

Adult males1993 4,605 26,545 5 17 15 22 19 231994 4,606 28,896 5 15 15 22 18 251995 6,543 31,820 5 16 15 20 17 281996 8,601 34,848 9 22 16 18 14 221997 8,170 38,927 9 15 14 18 16 281998 8,743 41,592 5 16 14 19 15 311999 8,315 40,850 9 14 13 18 15 322000 8,995 42,281 8 13 14 17 14 332001 9,198 42,959 8 15 12 18 14 33

Adult females1993 969 975 12 39 18 16 8 71994 1,105 1,128 11 36 17 17 8 101995 1,240 1,276 15 34 17 14 10 101996 1,536 1,476 17 37 15 13 8 91997 1,773 1,813 15 35 16 14 8 121998 2,041 2,057 11 35 17 17 8 131999 2,070 2,114 15 32 14 15 9 152000 2,261 2,282 11 32 14 16 11 162001 2,533 2,506 14 34 14 15 10 14

(1) Excludes fine defaulters.(2) Rounded estimates which therefore may not add to 100.(3) From 1996 more stringent criteria for accepting a possible match to records on the Home Office Offenders Index have been applied that will have tended

to increase the number of instances where previous convictions are not found.

89

Table 4.3 Population in prison under sentence by offence group

England and Wales, 30 JuneAll adults Number of persons

Offence group 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001(r) 2002

All adults

All offences 29,992 27,965 30,487 33,537 36,440 40,856 43,748 43,049 44,643 45,506 48,451

Offences with immediate custodialsentence 29,692 27,520 30,024 33,096 36,314 40,740 43,649 42,964 44,563 45,465 48,417Violence against the person 6,336 6,613 7,107 7,759 8,404 9,109 9,469 9,275 9,666 10,026 10,447Rape 1,466 1,503 1,550 1,694 1,827 1,956 2,230 2,428 2,548 2,614 2,752Other sexual offences 1,528 1,527 1,600 1,831 1,970 1,960 2,341 2,280 2,314 2,269 2,283Burglary 4,029 3,500 3,770 4,477 4,737 6,042 6,487 6,640 6,947 6,864 7,454Robbery 3,414 4,057 4,334 4,358 4,425 4,707 4,706 4,550 4,727 4,941 5,542Theft and handling 2,558 2,180 2,599 2,991 3,174 3,493 3,686 3,535 3,862 3,690 3,773Fraud and forgery 833 877 934 1,150 1,196 1,197 1,160 1,072 974 1,029 1,005Drugs offences 3,021 3,029 3,363 4,021 5,416 6,742 7,421 7,672 7,924 8,556 9,419Other offences 2,960 2,829 3,330 3,624 4,093 4,356 4,485 4,452 4,941 4,830 4,938Offence not recorded 3,547 1,405 1,437 1,191 1,072 1,178 1,664 1,060 660 646 804


Adult males

All offences 28,956 26,972 29,337 32,238 34,960 39,041 41,690 40,931 42,354 42,998 45,599

Offences with immediate custodialsentence 28,676 26,545 28,896 31,820 34,838 38,927 41,592 40,850 42,281 42,959 45,568Violence against the person 6,178 6,435 6,869 7,508 8,116 8,779 9,110 8,927 9,334 9,668 10,012Rape 1,464 1,502 1,549 1,692 1,825 1,954 2,227 2,423 2,544 2,609 2,748Other sexual offences 1,521 1,514 1,589 1,824 1,962 1,955 2,330 2,270 2,301 2,251 2,266Burglary 3,989 3,473 3,740 4,434 4,685 5,958 6,395 6,520 6,824 6,750 7,271Robbery 3,377 4,002 4,262 4,286 4,346 4,614 4,602 4,435 4,591 4,758 5,319Theft and handling 2,386 1,991 2,389 2,734 2,894 3,185 3,333 3,193 3,427 3,300 3,391Fraud and forgery 781 816 869 1,055 1,079 1,078 1,047 961 848 902 887Drugs offences 2,776 2,739 3,050 3,659 4,965 6,098 6,678 6,857 7,060 7,501 8,198Other offences 2,817 2,727 3,222 3,507 3,957 4,186 4,300 4,263 4,752 4,622 4,729Offence not recorded 3,387 1,346 1,357 1,121 1,009 1,120 1,570 1,001 600 598 747


Adult females

All offences 1,036 993 1,150 1,299 1,480 1,815 2,058 2,118 2,289 2,508 2,852

Offences with immediate custodialsentence 1,016 975 1,128 1,276 1,476 1,813 2,057 2,114 2,282 2,506 2,849Violence against the person 158 178 238 251 288 330 359 348 332 358 435Rape 2 1 1 2 2 2 3 5 4 5 4Other sexual offences 7 13 11 7 8 5 11 10 13 18 17Burglary 40 27 30 43 52 84 92 120 123 114 183Robbery 37 55 72 72 79 93 104 115 136 183 223Theft and handling 172 189 210 257 280 308 353 342 435 390 382Fraud and forgery 52 61 65 95 117 119 113 111 126 127 118Drugs offences 245 290 313 362 451 644 743 815 864 1,054 1,221Other offences 143 102 108 117 136 170 185 189 189 208 210Offence not recorded 160 59 80 70 63 58 94 59 60 49 56


90

Table 4.3 (continued) Population in prison under sentence by offence group (per cent)

England and Wales, 30 JuneAll adults Percentage(1)

Offence group 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

All adults

Offences with immediate custodialsentenceViolence against the person 24.2 25.3 24.9 24.3 23.8 23.0 22.6 22.1 22.0 22.4 21.9Rape 5.6 5.8 5.4 5.3 5.2 4.9 5.3 5.8 5.8 5.8 5.8Other sexual offences 5.8 5.8 5.6 5.7 5.6 5.0 5.6 5.4 5.3 5.1 4.8Burglary 15.4 13.4 13.2 14.0 13.4 15.3 15.5 15.8 15.8 15.3 15.7Robbery 13.1 15.5 15.2 13.7 12.6 11.9 11.2 10.9 10.8 11.0 11.6Theft and handling 9.8 8.3 9.1 9.4 9.0 8.8 8.8 8.4 8.8 8.2 7.9Fraud and forgery 3.2 3.4 3.3 3.6 3.4 3.0 2.8 2.6 2.2 2.3 2.1Drugs offences 11.6 11.6 11.8 12.6 15.4 17.0 17.7 18.3 18.0 19.1 19.8Other offences 11.3 10.8 11.6 11.4 11.6 11.0 10.7 10.6 11.3 10.8 10.4

Adult males


Adult females


(1) Excludes offence not recorded and fine defaulters.

91

Table 4.4 Population in prison under sentence by length of sentence

England and Wales, 30 JuneAll adults

Length of Sentence 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001(r) 2002

All adults 29,992 27,965 30,487 33,537 36,440 40,856 43,748 43,049 44,643 45,506 48,451

All sentence lengths 29,692 27,520 30,024 33,096 36,314 40,740 43,649 42,964 44,563 45,465 48,417Up to and including 3 months 821 850 828 965 1,025 1,115 1,163 1,242 1,655 1,486 1,377Over 3 months up to and including

6 months 1,432 1,478 2,043 2,321 2,498 2,658 2,750 2,664 3,102 3,091 2,798Over 6 months less than 12 months 1,400 1,322 1,387 1,554 1,733 1,792 1,832 1,583 1,646 1,544 1,522

Less than 12 months 3,653 3,650 4,258 4,840 5,256 5,565 5,745 5,489 6,403 6,121 5,69712 months 1,312 1,234 1,284 1,426 1,458 1,432 1,484 1,229 1,266 1,197 1,197Over 12 months up to and

including 18 months 2,814 2,227 2,399 2,595 2,736 2,844 3,101 2,640 2,584 2,568 2,645Over 18 months up to and

including 3 years 6,647 5,475 6,239 6,978 7,837 9,070 9,410 8,598 8,392 8,549 9,393Over 3 years less than 4 years 1,063 999 1,094 1,213 1,375 1,949 2,322 2,625 2,823 3,134 3,717

12 months less than 4 years 11,836 9,935 11,016 12,212 13,406 15,295 16,317 15,092 15,065 15,447 16,9524 years 1,846 1,858 1,955 2,173 2,502 2,990 3,215 3,052 2,890 2,929 3,173Over 4 years up to and including

5 years 2,403 2,344 2,483 2,914 3,261 3,808 4,240 4,410 4,488 4,645 5,135Over 5 years up to and including

10 years 5,658 5,339 5,691 6,158 6,773 7,568 8,206 8,585 8,867 9,136 9,775Over 10 years less than life 1,387 1,380 1,517 1,598 1,707 1,902 2,118 2,269 2,408 2,524 2,698Life 2,909 3,014 3,104 3,201 3,409 3,612 3,808 4,067 4,442 4,663 4,987

4 years to Life 14,203 13,935 14,750 16,044 17,652 19,880 21,587 22,383 23,095 23,897 25,768


All adult males 28,956 26,972 29,337 32,238 34,960 39,041 41,690 40,931 42,354 42,998 45,599

All sentence lengths 28,676 26,545 28,896 31,820 34,838 38,927 41,592 40,850 42,281 42,959 45,568Up to and including 3 months 772 773 795 907 949 1,021 1,050 1,117 1,487 1,346 1,244Over 3 months up to and including

6 months 1,376 1,404 1,925 2,199 2,371 2,476 2,560 2,474 2,881 2,883 2,598Over 6 months less than 12 months 1,338 1,250 1,299 1,449 1,595 1,645 1,687 1,474 1,512 1,414 1,390

Less than 12 months 3,486 3,427 4,019 4,555 4,915 5,142 5,297 5,065 5,880 5,643 5,23212 months 1,245 1,167 1,215 1,353 1,367 1,351 1,374 1,108 1,158 1,096 1,092Over 12 months up to and


including 3 years 6,460 5,311 5,999 6,714 7,538 8,661 8,989 8,222 7,963 8,026 8,787Over 3 years less than 4 years 1,041 981 1,064 1,178 1,337 1,884 2,235 2,525 2,691 2,997 3,494

12 months to less than 4 years 11,442 9,574 10,559 11,710 12,828 14,592 15,525 14,306 14,229 14,510 15,8134 years 1,786 1,812 1,888 2,103 2,419 2,874 3,077 2,900 2,752 2,768 3,000Over 4 years up to and including

5 years 2,318 2,277 2,400 2,812 3,162 3,681 4,071 4,218 4,293 4,384 4,831Over 5 years up to and including

10 years 5,462 5,182 5,538 5,976 6,553 7,299 7,891 8,236 8,499 8,709 9,266Over 10 years less than life 1,365 1,360 1,494 1,571 1,671 1,855 2,055 2,200 2,331 2,433 2,590Life 2,817 2,913 2,998 3,093 3,290 3,484 3,676 3,925 4,297 4,511 4,835

4 years to Life 13,748 13,544 14,318 15,555 17,095 19,193 20,770 21,479 22,172 22,806 24,523


All adult females 1,036 993 1,150 1,299 1,480 1,815 2,058 2,118 2,289 2,508 2,852

All sentence lengths 1,016 975 1,128 1,276 1,476 1,813 2,057 2,114 2,282 2,506 2,849Up to and including 3 months 49 77 33 58 76 94 113 125 168 140 133Over 3 months up to and including

6 months 56 74 118 122 127 182 190 190 221 209 200Over 6 months less than 12 months 62 72 88 105 138 147 145 109 134 130 133

Less than 12 months 167 223 239 285 341 423 448 424 523 478 46512 months 67 67 69 73 91 81 110 121 108 101 106Over 12 months up to and

including 18 months 118 112 118 130 150 148 174 189 167 176 205Over 18 months up to and

including 3 years 187 164 240 264 299 409 421 376 429 523 606Over 3 years less than 4 years 22 18 30 35 38 65 87 100 132 137 223

12 months to less than 4 years 394 361 457 502 578 703 792 786 836 937 1,1394 years 60 46 67 70 83 116 138 152 138 161 172Over 4 years up to and including 5

years 85 67 83 102 99 127 169 192 195 261 304Over 5 years up to and including

10 years 196 157 153 182 220 269 315 349 368 427 509Over 10 years less than life 22 20 23 27 36 47 63 69 77 90 108Life 92 101 106 108 119 128 132 142 145 152 152

4 years to Life 455 391 432 489 557 687 817 904 923 1,091 1,245


92

Table 4.4 (continued) Population in prison under sentence by length of sentence

England and Wales, 30 JuneAll adults Percentage

Length of Sentence 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

All adultsOffences with immediate custodial

sentence 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100Up to and including 3 months 2.8 3.1 2.8 2.9 2.8 2.7 2.7 2.9 3.7 3.3 2.8Over 3 months up to and including

6 months 4.8 5.4 6.8 7.0 6.9 6.5 6.3 6.2 7.0 6.8 5.8Over 6 months less than 12 months 4.7 4.8 4.6 4.7 4.8 4.4 4.2 3.7 3.7 3.4 3.1

Less than 12 months 12.3 13.3 14.2 14.6 14.5 13.7 13.2 12.8 14.4 13.5 11.812 months 4.4 4.5 4.3 4.3 4.0 3.5 3.4 2.9 2.8 2.6 2.5Over 12 months up to and including

18 months 9.5 8.1 8.0 7.8 7.5 7.0 7.1 6.1 5.8 5.6 5.5Over 18 months up to and including

3 years 22.4 19.9 20.8 21.1 21.6 22.3 21.6 20.0 18.8 18.8 19.4Over 3 years less than 4 years 3.6 3.6 3.6 3.7 3.8 4.8 5.3 6.1 6.3 6.9 7.7

12 months to less than 4 years 39.9 36.1 36.7 36.9 36.9 37.5 37.4 35.1 33.8 34.0 35.04 years 6.2 6.8 6.5 6.6 6.9 7.3 7.4 7.1 6.5 6.4 6.6Over 4 years up to and including

5 years 8.1 8.5 8.3 8.8 9.0 9.3 9.7 10.3 10.1 10.2 10.6Over 5 years up to and including

10 years 19.1 19.4 19.0 18.6 18.7 18.6 18.8 20.0 19.9 20.1 20.2Over 10 years less than life 4.7 5.0 5.1 4.8 4.7 4.7 4.9 5.3 5.4 5.6 5.6Life 9.8 11.0 10.3 9.7 9.4 8.9 8.7 9.5 10.0 10.3 10.3

4 years to Life 47.8 50.6 49.1 48.5 48.6 48.8 49.5 52.1 51.8 52.6 53.2

All adult malesOffences with immediate custodial









4 years to Life 47.9 51.0 49.6 48.9 49.1 49.3 49.9 52.6 52.4 53.1 53.8

All adult femalesOffences with immediate custodial









4 years to Life 44.8 40.1 38.3 38.3 37.7 37.9 39.7 42.8 40.4 43.5 43.7

93

Table 4.5 Receptions into prison under sentence: by age and offence

England and Wales 2002All adults Number of persons

Offence group Immediate imprisonment

Age

All ages 21–24 25–29 30–39 40–49 50–59 60 andover

In defaultof

paymentof afine

All offences 73,379 19,421 18,336 24,359 8,081 2,469 713 1,082

Violence against the person 10,240 2,561 2,295 3,580 1,347 381 76 53Murder 264 53 53 89 50 14 5 –Manslaughter 194 47 35 70 28 11 3 –Other homicide and

attempted homicide 885 188 180 321 139 48 9 2Wounding 4,086 1,136 978 1,355 483 113 21 15Assaults 3,101 740 682 1,159 397 105 18 25Cruelty to children 99 21 16 38 17 6 1 –Other offences of violence

against the person 1,611 376 351 548 233 84 19 11

Sexual offences 2,235 182 259 643 507 375 269 –Buggery and indecency

between males 71 5 6 17 16 15 12 –Rape 673 84 92 238 140 75 44 –Gross indecency with children 571 17 33 129 141 141 110 –Other sexual offences 920 76 128 259 210 144 103 –

Burglary 7,499 2,464 2,214 2,296 448 67 10 25

Robbery 2,714 1,010 707 808 167 18 4 5

Theft and handling 18,390 5,156 5,219 6,246 1,423 298 48 121Taking and driving away 1,191 551 354 252 33 1 – 7Other thefts 16,195 4,343 4,594 5,643 1,291 278 46 108Handling stolen goods 1,004 262 271 351 99 19 2 6

Fraud and forgery 2,739 451 608 920 467 219 74 23Fraud 2,565 413 560 865 444 211 72 23Forgery 174 38 48 55 23 8 2 –

Drugs offences 6,345 1,436 1,534 2,251 842 242 40 33

Other offences 21,784 5,784 5,144 7,177 2,703 812 164 453Arson 265 58 53 76 53 19 6 –Criminal damage 1,056 274 227 366 143 42 4 54In charge or driving under

the influence of drink ordrugs 2,370 352 403 873 545 178 19 19

Other motoring offences 9,870 2,828 2,534 3,179 1,014 261 54 216Drunkenness 252 34 47 90 59 18 4 26Blackmail 51 14 16 13 5 3 – –Kidnapping 163 51 34 53 17 7 1 –Affray 845 273 215 258 83 14 2 1Violent disorder 267 104 64 72 26 1 – 2Perjury/Libel/Pervert the

course of justice 459 135 107 146 49 17 5 1Threat/disorderly behaviour 703 185 137 239 105 30 7 10Breach of Court Order 3,444 1,081 892 1,122 270 65 14 30Other(1) 2,039 395 415 690 334 157 48 94

Offence not recorded 1,433 377 356 438 177 57 28 369(1) Other includes other criminal offences, other non-criminal offences and breaches of the Immigration Act 1971.

94

Table 4.5 (continued) Receptions into prison under sentence: by age and offence

England and Wales 2002Adult males Number of persons


Age

All ages 21–24 25–29 30–39 40–49 50–59 60 andover

In defaultof

paymentof afine

All offences 66,991 17,754 16,642 22,202 7,356 2,347 690 1,006

Violence against the person 9,574 2,402 2,144 3,346 1,247 367 68 51Murder 251 52 53 81 48 12 5 –Manslaughter 168 43 31 58 24 10 2 –Other homicide and

attempted homicide 845 180 176 308 129 45 7 2Wounding 3,861 1,078 917 1,280 458 109 19 15Assaults 2,844 677 624 1,064 358 103 18 24Cruelty to children 63 10 8 31 9 5 – –Other offences of violence

against the person 1,542 362 335 524 221 83 17 10

Sexual offences 2,221 182 258 635 504 373 269 –Buggery and indecency

between males 71 5 6 17 16 15 12 –Rape 673 84 92 238 140 75 44 –Gross indecency with

children 562 17 33 124 139 139 110 –Other sexual offences 915 76 127 256 209 144 103 –

Burglary 7,227 2,374 2,144 2,201 431 67 10 25

Robbery 2,486 918 638 751 157 18 4 2

Theft and handling 15,791 4,407 4,469 5,393 1,205 273 44 106Taking and driving away 1,177 546 349 248 33 1 – 7Other thefts 13,737 3,632 3,880 4,846 1,084 253 42 93Handling stolen goods 877 229 240 299 88 19 2 6

Fraud and forgery 2,267 382 492 758 376 189 70 21Fraud 2,128 349 456 713 360 182 68 21Forgery 139 33 36 45 16 7 2 –

Drugs offences 5,498 1,252 1,324 1,948 716 222 36 33

Other offences 20,615 5,483 4,851 6,774 2,559 787 161 420Arson 232 53 47 58 50 19 5 –Criminal damage 1,000 260 218 344 132 42 4 53In charge or driving under

the influence of drink ordrugs 2,304 346 395 849 524 171 19 18

Other motoring offences 9,620 2,773 2,466 3,086 985 256 54 201Drunkenness 245 32 46 88 57 18 4 26Blackmail 42 11 12 13 3 3 – –Kidnapping 158 50 33 51 16 7 1 –Affray 822 267 208 249 82 14 2 1Violent disorder 258 101 61 70 25 1 – 2Perjury/Libel/Pervert the

course of justice 409 118 94 134 45 13 5 1Threat/disorderly behaviour 668 175 130 233 96 28 6 10Breach of Court Order 3,015 948 770 979 240 64 14 27Other(1) 1,842 349 371 620 304 151 47 81

Offence not recorded 1,312 354 322 396 161 51 28 348(1) Other includes other criminal offences, other non-criminal offences and breaches of the Immigration Act 1971.

95

Table 4.5 (continued) Receptions into prison under sentence: by age and offence

England and Wales 2002Adult females Number of persons


Age

All ages 21–24 25–29 30–39 40–49 50–59 60 andover

In defaultof

paymentof afine

All offences 6,388 1,667 1,694 2,157 725 122 23 76

Violence against the person 666 159 151 234 100 14 8 2Murder 13 1 – 8 2 2 – –Manslaughter 26 4 4 12 4 1 1 –Other homicide and

attempted homicide 40 8 4 13 10 3 2 –Wounding 225 58 61 75 25 4 2 –Assaults 257 63 58 95 39 2 – 1Cruelty to children 36 11 8 7 8 1 1 –Other offences of violence

against the person 69 14 16 24 12 1 2 1

Sexual offences 14 – 1 8 3 2 – –Buggery and indecency

between males – – – – – – – –Rape – – – – – – – –Gross indecency with

children 9 – – 5 2 2 – –Other sexual offences 5 – 1 3 1 – – –

Burglary 272 90 70 95 17 – – –

Robbery 228 92 69 57 10 – – 3

Theft and handling 2,599 749 750 853 218 25 4 15Taking and driving away 14 5 5 4 – – – –Other thefts 2,458 711 714 797 207 25 4 15Handling stolen goods 127 33 31 52 11 – – –

Fraud and forgery 472 69 116 162 91 30 4 2Fraud 437 64 104 152 84 29 4 2Forgery 35 5 12 10 7 1 – –

Drugs offences 847 184 210 303 126 20 4 –

Other offences 1,169 301 293 403 144 25 3 33Arson 33 5 6 18 3 – 1 –Criminal damage 56 14 9 22 11 – – 1In charge or driving under

the influence of drink ordrugs 66 6 8 24 21 7 – 1

Other motoring offences 250 55 68 93 29 5 – 15Drunkenness 7 2 1 2 2 – – –Blackmail 9 3 4 – 2 – – –Kidnapping 5 1 1 2 1 – – –Affray 23 6 7 9 1 – – –Violent disorder 9 3 3 2 1 – – –Perjury/Libel/Pervert the

course of justice 50 17 13 12 4 4 – –Threat/disorderly behaviour 35 10 7 6 9 2 1 –Breach of Court Order 429 133 122 143 30 1 – 3Other(1) 197 46 44 70 30 6 1 13

Offence not recorded 121 23 34 42 16 6 – 21(1) Other includes other criminal offences, other non-criminal offences and breaches of the Immigration Act 1971.

96

Table 4.6 Receptions into prison under sentence of immediate imprisonment: by age, offence group and length of sentence

England and Wales 2002All adults Number of persons

Age and offence groupAll

Length of sentence

sentencelengths

Up toand

including3 months

Over3 months

up toand

including6 months


12 months

12 months Over12 months

up toand

including18 months

Over18 months

up toand

including3 years

Over3 years

less than4 years

4 years Over4 yearsup toand

including5 years

Over5 yearsup toand

including10 years


life

Life

All adults

All ages 73,379 21,877 20,264 5,729 3,071 4,677 8,410 2,155 1,597 1,996 2,676 463 464Violence against the person 10,240 2,614 2,537 839 544 863 1,228 257 253 307 417 60 321Sexual offences 2,235 119 169 123 172 216 434 92 155 153 465 94 43Burglary 7,499 1,017 1,231 642 452 936 2,037 461 203 283 221 7 9Robbery 2,714 215 145 83 76 190 688 298 247 283 390 55 44Theft and handling 18,390 8,560 5,421 1,783 517 689 950 185 81 107 79 6 12Fraud and forgery 2,739 654 783 366 202 248 313 46 44 36 33 13 1Drugs offences 6,345 537 502 387 304 504 1,427 611 449 590 839 193 2Other offences 21,784 7,870 9,178 1,262 669 876 1,146 180 137 200 203 31 32Offence not recorded 1,433 291 298 244 135 155 187 25 28 37 29 4 –

Adult males 66,991 19,343 18,760 5,180 2,801 4,325 7,798 1,994 1,502 1,881 2,527 432 448

Aged 21-29 34,396 9,754 9,825 2,946 1,428 2,356 4,149 1,087 702 901 980 105 163Violence against the person 4,546 1,062 1,073 421 260 425 576 141 109 143 190 26 120Sexual offences 440 44 50 25 44 55 56 16 23 30 79 9 9Burglary 4,518 609 753 408 281 603 1,207 274 107 158 110 2 6Robbery 1,556 118 85 46 47 107 397 185 142 168 222 25 14Theft and handling 8,876 3,714 2,800 960 238 358 554 106 43 54 41 3 5Fraud and forgery 874 234 286 123 61 74 73 11 5 4 2 1 –Drugs offences 2,576 265 240 181 127 213 603 253 195 227 242 30 –Other offences 10,334 3,568 4,381 670 320 441 589 92 69 103 84 8 9Offence not recorded 676 140 157 112 50 80 94 9 9 14 10 1 –

Aged 30 and over 32,595 9,589 8,935 2,234 1,373 1,969 3,649 907 800 980 1,547 327 285Violence against the person 5,028 1,317 1,334 351 251 389 580 96 129 152 211 32 186Sexual offences 1,781 75 118 95 128 160 373 76 132 122 384 84 34Burglary 2,709 369 432 207 148 301 753 177 88 119 107 5 3Robbery 930 71 51 24 19 49 195 94 95 108 164 30 30Theft and handling 6,915 3,487 1,863 584 205 249 329 67 34 50 37 3 7Fraud and forgery 1,393 260 337 184 114 145 211 33 36 30 30 12 1Drugs offences 2,922 192 199 161 127 216 633 274 206 291 485 136 2Other offences 10,281 3,712 4,481 520 311 392 488 75 61 87 110 22 22Offence not recorded 636 106 120 108 70 68 87 15 19 21 19 3 –

Adult females 6,388 2,534 1,504 549 270 352 612 161 95 115 149 31 16

Aged 21-29 3,361 1,402 800 298 116 179 335 83 47 48 46 5 2Violence against the person 310 114 54 37 17 24 40 7 6 3 7 – 1Sexual offences 1 – – 1 – – – – – – – – –Burglary 160 25 26 17 12 23 41 6 4 4 2 – –Robbery 161 12 7 9 6 25 74 10 10 6 2 – –Theft and handling 1,499 786 455 142 31 38 34 8 3 1 1 – –Fraud and forgery 185 71 70 21 5 10 8 – – – – – –Drugs offences 394 51 25 23 19 38 109 41 20 31 32 5 –Other offences 594 319 155 37 20 17 27 10 4 2 2 – 1Offence not recorded 57 24 8 11 6 4 2 1 – 1 – – –

Aged 30 and over 3,027 1,132 704 251 154 173 277 78 48 67 103 26 14Violence against the person 356 121 76 30 16 25 32 13 9 9 9 2 14Sexual offences 13 – 1 2 – 1 5 – – 1 2 1 –Burglary 112 14 20 10 11 9 36 4 4 2 2 – –Robbery 67 14 2 4 4 9 22 9 – 1 2 – –Theft and handling 1,100 573 303 97 43 44 33 4 1 2 – – –Fraud and forgery 287 89 90 38 22 19 21 2 3 2 1 – –Drugs offences 453 29 38 22 31 37 82 43 28 41 80 22 –Other offences 575 271 161 35 18 26 42 3 3 8 7 1 –Offence not recorded 64 21 13 13 9 3 4 – – 1 – – –

97

Table 4.7 Receptions into prison under sentence of immediate imprisonment: by offence group

England and WalesAll adults Number of persons

Offence group 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

All adults

All offences 36,832 37,358 46,232 52,772 56,713 62,089 66,309 69,218 69,862 69,554 73,379Violence against the person 5,279 5,578 6,576 7,189 8,092 8,933 9,606 9,463 9,683 10,032 10,240Sexual offences 1,687 1,744 1,815 2,211 2,321 2,325 2,508 2,431 2,241 2,177 2,235Burglary 5,603 5,516 6,650 7,058 7,197 7,734 7,534 7,484 7,567 6,943 7,499Robbery 1,877 1,810 1,696 1,751 1,908 1,877 1,795 1,981 2,043 2,155 2,714Theft and handling 6,479 6,597 8,531 10,266 11,070 12,745 14,414 16,037 17,437 17,464 18,390Fraud and forgery 1,718 1,889 2,115 2,606 2,818 2,688 3,059 2,984 2,758 2,751 2,739Drugs offences 2,765 2,794 3,127 4,248 5,457 6,353 6,598 6,753 6,277 6,501 6,345Other offences 8,656 10,274 14,388 16,330 16,801 18,189 19,383 20,853 20,321 20,342 21,784Offence not recorded 2,768 1,156 1,334 1,113 1,049 1,245 1,412 1,232 1,535 1,189 1,433

Adult males

All offences 35,018 35,429 43,789 49,875 53,415 58,095 61,531 63,635 64,092 63,593 66,991Violence against the person 5,114 5,363 6,308 6,850 7,717 8,503 9,100 8,926 9,117 9,432 9,574Sexual offences 1,678 1,726 1,806 2,202 2,312 2,311 2,486 2,414 2,218 2,161 2,221Burglary 5,536 5,447 6,558 6,976 7,080 7,604 7,377 7,294 7,373 6,752 7,227Robbery 1,835 1,752 1,645 1,694 1,824 1,815 1,707 1,873 1,918 1,992 2,486Theft and handling 5,872 5,915 7,550 9,140 9,910 11,219 12,593 13,813 15,001 15,043 15,791Fraud and forgery 1,549 1,643 1,859 2,255 2,420 2,311 2,578 2,449 2,245 2,249 2,267Drugs offences 2,516 2,522 2,874 3,891 4,944 5,692 5,863 5,932 5,484 5,627 5,498Other offences 8,372 10,003 13,996 15,903 16,265 17,521 18,569 19,842 19,354 19,256 20,615Offence not recorded 2,546 1,058 1,193 964 943 1,119 1,258 1,092 1,382 1,081 1,312

Adult females

All offences 1,814 1,929 2,443 2,897 3,298 3,994 4,778 5,583 5,770 5,961 6,388Violence against the person 165 215 268 339 375 430 506 537 566 600 666Sexual offences 9 18 9 9 9 14 22 17 23 16 14Burglary 67 69 92 82 117 130 157 190 194 191 272Robbery 42 58 51 57 84 62 88 108 125 163 228Theft and handling 607 682 981 1,126 1,160 1,526 1,821 2,224 2,436 2,421 2,599Fraud and forgery 169 246 256 351 398 377 481 535 513 502 472Drugs offences 249 272 253 357 513 661 735 821 793 874 847Other offences 284 271 392 427 536 668 814 1,011 967 1,086 1,169Offence not recorded 222 98 141 149 106 126 154 140 153 108 121

Percentage

All adults

All offences 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0Violence against the person 15.5 15.4 14.6 13.9 14.5 14.7 14.8 13.9 14.2 14.7 14.2Sexual offences 5.0 4.8 4.0 4.3 4.2 3.8 3.9 3.6 3.3 3.2 3.1Burglary 16.4 15.2 14.8 13.7 12.9 12.7 11.6 11.0 11.1 10.2 10.4Robbery 5.5 5.0 3.8 3.4 3.4 3.1 2.8 2.9 3.0 3.2 3.8Theft and handling 19.0 18.2 19.0 19.9 19.9 20.9 22.2 23.6 25.5 25.5 25.6Fraud and forgery 5.0 5.2 4.7 5.0 5.1 4.4 4.7 4.4 4.0 4.0 3.8Drugs offences 8.1 7.7 7.0 8.2 9.8 10.4 10.2 9.9 9.2 9.5 8.8Other offences 25.4 28.4 32.0 31.6 30.2 29.9 29.9 30.7 29.7 29.8 30.3

Adult males


Adult females


98

Table 4.8 Receptions into prison under sentence of immediate imprisonment: by sentence length


Length of sentence 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

All adults

All sentence lengths 36,832 37,358 46,232 52,772 56,713 62,089 66,309 69,218 69,862 69,554 73,379Up to and including 3 months 7,370 7,982 11,299 14,320 15,224 17,546 19,722 21,491 21,708 21,359 21,877Over 3 months up to and

including 6 months 7,111 8,949 12,422 13,818 14,664 15,805 17,161 18,686 19,265 19,256 20,264Over 6 months less than 12

months 4,090 4,119 4,476 4,915 4,976 5,351 5,630 5,485 5,786 5,531 5,729Less than 12 months 18,571 21,050 28,197 33,053 34,864 38,702 42,513 45,662 46,759 46,146 47,87012 months 2,998 2,863 3,151 3,263 3,298 3,357 3,416 3,371 3,175 3,043 3,071Over 12 months up to and


including 3 years 6,292 5,415 6,182 6,981 7,784 8,307 8,328 8,065 7,881 7,902 8,410Over 3 years less than 4 years 632 532 641 762 967 1,214 1,441 1,534 1,656 1,801 2,15512 months to less than 4 years 14,225 12,540 14,146 15,328 16,560 17,546 18,100 17,751 17,290 17,116 18,3134 years 1,043 917 921 1,068 1,368 1,451 1,357 1,293 1,313 1,368 1,597Over 4 years up to and including

5 years 885 948 968 1,192 1,339 1,545 1,542 1,548 1,598 1,717 1,996Over 5 years up to and including

10 years 1,668 1,494 1,563 1,610 1,963 2,147 2,032 2,150 2,112 2,390 2,676Over 10 years less than life 236 207 248 273 341 385 400 403 359 373 463Life 204 202 189 248 278 313 365 411 431 444 4644 years or more 4,036 3,768 3,889 4,391 5,289 5,841 5,696 5,805 5,813 6,292 7,196

Adult males

All sentence lengths 35,018 35,429 43,789 49,875 53,415 58,095 61,531 63,635 64,092 63,593 66,991Up to and including 3 months 6,879 7,446 10,498 13,296 14,034 16,007 17,828 19,191 19,312 19,045 19,343Over 3 months up to and

including 6 months 6,762 8,515 11,819 13,121 13,951 14,904 15,992 17,340 17,846 17,796 18,760Over 6 months less than 12

months 3,880 3,886 4,191 4,607 4,639 4,948 5,158 5,013 5,291 5,005 5,180Less than 12 months 17,521 19,847 26,508 31,024 32,624 35,859 38,978 41,544 42,449 41,846 43,28312 months 2,835 2,700 2,986 3,064 3,101 3,157 3,179 3,058 2,901 2,777 2,801Over 12 months up to and


including 3 years 6,072 5,198 5,965 6,715 7,422 7,927 7,942 7,651 7,416 7,360 7,798Over 3 years less than 4 years 614 512 625 740 938 1,167 1,391 1,449 1,576 1,699 1,99412 months to less than 4 years 13,631 11,963 13,541 14,628 15,734 16,667 17,129 16,594 16,172 15,887 16,9184 years 999 887 883 1,027 1,310 1,380 1,290 1,227 1,233 1,287 1,502Over 4 years up to and including

5 years 840 905 931 1,151 1,284 1,470 1,468 1,461 1,490 1,588 1,881Over 5 years up to and including

10 years 1,608 1,439 1,499 1,556 1,865 2,054 1,937 2,025 1,989 2,213 2,527Over 10 years less than life 229 199 246 259 330 368 378 388 346 342 432Life 190 189 181 230 268 297 351 396 413 430 4484 years or more 3,866 3,619 3,740 4,223 5,057 5,569 5,424 5,497 5,471 5,860 6,790

Adult females

All sentence lengths 1,814 1,929 2,443 2,897 3,298 3,994 4,778 5,583 5,770 5,961 6,388Up to and including 3 months 491 536 801 1,024 1,190 1,539 1,894 2,300 2,396 2,314 2,534Over 3 months up to and

including 6 months 349 434 603 697 713 901 1,169 1,346 1,419 1,460 1,504Over 6 months less than 12

months 210 233 285 308 337 403 472 472 495 526 549Less than 12 months 1,050 1,203 1,689 2,029 2,240 2,843 3,535 4,118 4,310 4,300 4,58712 months 163 163 165 199 197 200 237 313 274 266 270Over 12 months up to and

including 18 months 193 177 207 213 238 252 298 345 299 319 352Over 18 months up to and

including 3 years 220 217 217 266 362 380 386 414 465 542 612Over 3 years less than 4 years 18 20 16 22 29 47 50 85 80 102 16112 months to less than 4 years 594 577 605 700 826 879 971 1,157 1,118 1,229 1,3954 years 44 30 38 41 58 71 67 66 80 81 95Over 4 years up to and including


10 years 60 55 64 54 98 93 95 125 123 177 149Over 10 years less than life 7 8 2 14 11 17 22 15 13 31 31Life 14 13 8 18 10 16 14 15 18 14 164 years or more 170 149 149 168 232 272 272 308 342 432 406

99

Table 4.8 (continued) Receptions into prison under sentence of immediate imprisonment: by sentence length

England and WalesAll adults Percentage

Length of sentence 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

All adultsAll sentence lengths 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Up to and including 3 months 20.0 21.4 24.4 27.1 26.8 28.3 29.7 31.0 31.1 30.7 29.8Over 3 months up to and

including 6 months 19.3 24.0 26.9 26.2 25.9 25.5 25.9 27.0 27.6 27.7 27.6Over 6 months less than 12

months 11.1 11.0 9.7 9.3 8.8 8.6 8.5 7.9 8.3 8.0 7.8Less than 12 months 50.4 56.3 61.0 62.6 61.5 62.3 64.1 66.0 66.9 66.3 65.212 months 8.1 7.7 6.8 6.2 5.8 5.4 5.2 4.9 4.5 4.4 4.2Over 12 months up to and

including 18 months 11.7 10.0 9.0 8.2 8.0 7.5 7.4 6.9 6.6 6.3 6.4Over 18 months up to and

including 3 years 17.1 14.5 13.4 13.2 13.7 13.4 12.6 11.7 11.3 11.4 11.5Over 3 years less than 4 years 1.7 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.7 2.0 2.2 2.2 2.4 2.6 2.912 months to less than 4 years 38.6 33.6 30.6 29.0 29.2 28.3 27.3 25.6 24.7 24.6 25.04 years 2.8 2.5 2.0 2.0 2.4 2.3 2.0 1.9 1.9 2.0 2.2Over 4 years up to and

including 5 years 2.4 2.5 2.1 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.3 2.2 2.3 2.5 2.7Over 5 years up to and

including 10 years 4.5 4.0 3.4 3.1 3.5 3.5 3.1 3.1 3.0 3.4 3.6Over 10 years less than life 0.6 0.6 0.5 0.5 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.5 0.5 0.6Life 0.6 0.5 0.4 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.64 years or more 11.0 10.1 8.4 8.3 9.3 9.4 8.6 8.4 8.3 9.0 9.8

Adult males

All sentence lengths 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100Up to and including 3 months 19.6 21.0 24.0 26.7 26.3 27.6 29.0 30.2 30.1 29.9 28.9Over 3 months up to and







Adult females

All sentence lengths 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100Up to and including 3 months 27.1 27.8 32.8 35.3 36.1 38.5 39.6 41.2 41.5 38.8 39.7Over 3 months up to and







100

Table 4.9 Receptions into prison under sentence of immediate imprisonment: by age


Age 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

All adultsAge on receptionAll ages 36,832 37,358 46,232 52,772 56,713 62,089 66,309 69,218 69,862 69,554 73,379

21-24 11,655 12,055 14,491 15,370 16,138 16,767 16,721 17,273 18,071 18,386 19,42125-29 10,141 10,292 12,813 14,601 15,710 17,251 18,397 18,649 18,562 17,719 18,33630-39 9,331 9,513 12,278 14,980 16,478 18,756 20,983 22,505 22,608 22,567 24,35940-49 3,986 3,900 4,737 5,375 5,791 6,415 7,004 7,356 7,328 7,598 8,08150-59 1,347 1,259 1,486 1,969 2,058 2,285 2,543 2,689 2,485 2,538 2,46960 and over 372 339 427 477 538 615 661 746 808 746 713

Adult males

Age on receptionAll ages 35,018 35,429 43,789 49,875 53,415 58,095 61,531 63,635 64,092 63,593 66,991

21-24 11,204 11,564 13,864 14,725 15,401 15,794 15,608 15,905 16,621 16,866 17,75425-29 9,629 9,736 12,099 13,769 14,773 16,180 17,086 17,133 17,085 16,113 16,64230-39 8,776 8,958 11,538 14,002 15,359 17,431 19,365 20,596 20,567 20,525 22,20240-49 3,759 3,663 4,457 5,034 5,412 5,935 6,422 6,772 6,726 6,993 7,35650-59 1,296 1,185 1,416 1,882 1,946 2,160 2,408 2,505 2,319 2,376 2,34760 and over 354 323 415 463 524 595 642 724 774 720 690

Adult females

Age on receptionAll ages 1,814 1,929 2,443 2,897 3,298 3,994 4,778 5,583 5,770 5,961 6,388

21-24 451 491 627 645 737 973 1,113 1,368 1,450 1,520 1,66725-29 512 556 714 832 937 1,071 1,311 1,516 1,477 1,606 1,69430-39 555 555 740 978 1,119 1,325 1,618 1,909 2,041 2,042 2,15740-49 227 237 280 341 379 480 582 584 602 605 72550-59 51 74 70 87 112 125 135 184 166 162 12260 and over 18 16 12 14 14 20 19 22 34 26 23

Per centAll adults

Age on receptionAll ages 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

21-24 31.6 32.3 31.3 29.1 28.5 27.0 25.2 25.0 25.9 26.4 26.525-29 27.5 27.5 27.7 27.7 27.7 27.8 27.7 26.9 26.6 25.5 25.030-39 25.3 25.5 26.6 28.4 29.1 30.2 31.6 32.5 32.4 32.4 33.240-49 10.8 10.4 10.2 10.2 10.2 10.3 10.6 10.6 10.5 10.9 11.050-59 3.7 3.4 3.2 3.7 3.6 3.7 3.8 3.9 3.6 3.6 3.460 and over 1.0 0.9 0.9 0.9 0.9 1.0 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.1 1.0

Adult males


21-24 32.0 32.6 31.7 29.5 28.8 27.2 25.4 25.0 25.9 26.5 26.525-29 27.5 27.5 27.6 27.6 27.7 27.9 27.8 26.9 26.7 25.3 24.830-39 25.1 25.3 26.3 28.1 28.8 30.0 31.5 32.4 32.1 32.3 33.140-49 10.7 10.3 10.2 10.1 10.1 10.2 10.4 10.6 10.5 11.0 11.050-59 3.7 3.3 3.2 3.8 3.6 3.7 3.9 3.9 3.6 3.7 3.560 and over 1.0 0.9 0.9 0.9 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.1 1.0

Adult females


21-24 24.9 25.5 25.7 22.3 22.3 24.4 23.3 24.5 25.1 25.5 26.125-29 28.2 28.8 29.2 28.7 28.4 26.8 27.4 27.2 25.6 26.9 26.530-39 30.6 28.8 30.3 33.8 33.9 33.2 33.9 34.2 35.4 34.3 33.840-49 12.5 12.3 11.5 11.8 11.5 12.0 12.2 10.5 10.4 10.1 11.350-59 2.8 3.8 2.9 3.0 3.4 3.1 2.8 3.3 2.9 2.7 1.960 and over 1.0 0.8 0.5 0.5 0.4 0.5 0.4 0.4 0.6 0.4 0.4

101

Table 4.10 Average sentence length of receptions into prison under sentence of immediate imprisonment(1): by courtsentencing and date of reception

England and WalesAll adults Number of months

1992(3) 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000(r) 2001(r) 2002

All adultsCourt sentencing(2)

Crown Court 26.4 25.1 24.8 24.6 25.8 26.6 26.3 26.6 26.4 28.1 29.8Magistrates’ court 4.4 4.7 4.5 4.1 4.0 3.9 3.9 3.9 3.9 4.0 4.1All courts 19.0 17.2 15.7 15.3 16.0 15.9 15.1 14.6 14.2 14.8 15.6

Adult malesCourt sentencing(2)


Adult femalesCourt sentencing(2)


(1) Excluding those sentenced to life imprisonment and fine defaulters.(2) Type of court originally imposing a sentence of imprisonment: further sentences may have been awarded at a different court.(3) Figures are subject to a wider margin of error than those for other years because of a particularly large number of cases with court not recorded: such cases

are included in the “all courts” figures.

102

Table 4.11 Average time served in prison under sentence by prisoners discharged from determinatesentences on completion of sentence or on licence: by sex and length of sentence

England and Wales 2002All adults

Number of Months

Length of sentence(1) persons Average Average Percentagedischarged(2)

length of time served of sentencesentence under served under

sentence sentence

Including Excluding Including Excludingremand remand remand remand

time time time time

All adults

All lengths of sentence less than life 69,899 16.1 8.7 7.3 54 46Up to and including 3 months 18,224 2.0 1.0 0.8 48 38Over 3 months up to 6 months 19,239 4.8 2.2 1.8 46 37Over 6 months less than 12 months 6,075 8.6 3.9 3.1 46 3612 months 3,144 12.0 5.7 4.5 48 38Over 12 months up to 18 months 5,127 16.5 8.2 6.6 49 40Over 18 months up to 3 years 9,582 28.5 14.7 12.4 52 44Over 3 years less than 4 years 2,298 42.5 22.1 18.7 52 444 years 1,477 48.0 29.1 25.2 61 52Over 4 years up to 5 years 1,938 57.3 35.5 30.8 62 54Over 5 years up to 10 years 2,518 85.3 52.3 46.0 61 54Over 10 years less than life 277 154.7 89.2 80.6 58 52

Adult males

All lengths of sentence less than life 63,999 16.4 9.0 7.5 55 46Up to and including 3 months 16,151 2.0 1.0 0.8 49 38Over 3 months up to 6 months 17,760 4.8 2.2 1.8 47 37Over 6 months less than 12 months 5,491 8.6 4.0 3.1 46 3612 months 2,862 12.0 5.7 4.5 48 38Over 12 months up to 18 months 4,725 16.5 8.2 6.6 50 40Over 18 months up to 3 years 8,940 28.5 14.7 12.4 52 44Over 3 years less than 4 years 2,193 42.5 22.1 18.7 52 444 years 1,382 48.0 29.2 25.3 61 53Over 4 years up to 5 years 1,833 57.2 35.7 30.9 62 54Over 5 years up to 10 years 2,396 85.3 52.7 46.3 62 54Over 10 years less than life 266 154.8 89.6 80.9 58 52

Adult females

All lengths of sentence less than life 5,900 12.3 6.1 5.1 50 42Up to and including 3 months 2,073 1.9 0.9 0.7 45 37Over 3 months up to 6 months 1,479 4.8 2.1 1.7 44 35Over 6 months less than 12 months 584 8.6 3.7 2.9 42 3412 months 282 12.0 5.5 4.3 46 36Over 12 months up to 18 months 402 16.6 8.1 6.7 49 40Over 18 months up to 3 years 642 28.6 14.3 12.2 50 43Over 3 years less than 4 years 105 42.6 21.5 18.5 51 444 years 95 48.0 27.1 23.2 56 48Over 4 years up to 5 years 105 57.7 31.4 28.0 54 48Over 5 years up to 10 years 122 84.6 44.8 39.6 53 47Over 10 years less than life 11 151.7 81.4 73.7 54 49

(1) On discharge: the sentence may change after reception if there are further charges or an appeal.(2) Excludes discharges following recall after release on licence, non-criminals, persons committed to custody for non-payment of a fine

and persons reclassified as adult prisoners.

103

CHAPTER 5

LIFE SENTENCE PRISONERS

Key points

Population

● There were 5,150 inmates serving life sentences in Prison Service establishments on 30th June 2002,an increase of 7 per cent compared with a year earlier.

● Seventy per cent of life sentence prisoners were convicted murderers; the next largest group was 13per cent serving sentences for other manslaughter and other offences of violence against the person;a further 10 per cent were serving sentences for rape or other sexual offences.

● The majority of lifer prisoners, 97 per cent, were male, similar to the proportion observed over thelast 10 years.

● The life-sentenced population was, in general, older than the prison population as a whole. Only 21per cent of the life-sentenced population were aged under 30 years, compared to 51 per cent of thesentenced prison population as a whole. Six per cent of the lifer prison population were aged 60 yearsor over, compared to only 2 per cent of the sentenced prison population.

● A greater proportion of the lifer population were White (84 per cent) compared to the general prisonpopulation (77 per cent). Only 11 per cent of the lifer population were Black, compared to 15 percent of the general prison population.

Receptions

● There were 530 receptions of life sentence prisoners in the calendar year of 2002. This was a recordhigh, and continues the increase since 1994.

● In 2002 there were 310 receptions of mandatory lifers, 95 per cent of which were male. Mandatorylifers accounted for 57 per cent of all male receptions under a life sentence, but 71 per cent of allfemale receptions.

Time served

● The mean time served by mandatory life sentence prisoners first released on life licence hasincreased over the last decade from 12.4 years in 1992 to 13.7 years in 2002.

Releases

● The number of life sentence prisoners first released on life licence rose from 90 in 1996 to 150 in thecalendar year 2002.

104

Population and receptions (Table 5.1; Figure 5.1)

5.1 On 30th June 2002, there were 5,150 persons serving a life sentence in Prison Service establishments.This includes life sentences given to juveniles under sections 90-92 of the Powers of Criminal Courts(Sentencing) Act 2000 and custody for life (for 18-20 year olds). Also included are those sentencedunder Section 109 of the Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000 with an automatic lifesentence for a second serious violent or sexual offence (formerly Section 2 of the Crime (Sentences)Act 1997). See paragraphs 6-9 in Appendix 1 for further information on life imprisonment. The 2002life sentence population was an increase of 340 (7 per cent) compared with a year earlier and 72 percent higher than the figure for 30th June 1992. There were 530 receptions in 2002, which was 4 per centhigher than the number of receptions in 2001 and continues the increase since 1994.

Figure 5.1

POPULATION OF LIFE SENTENCE PRISONERS 30 JUNE, 1992-2002

Num

ber

of p

erso

ns

6,000

5,000

4,000

3,000

2,000

1,000

01992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

Year

5.2 Adult males accounted for 94 per cent of the life sentence prisoner population on 30th June 2002,whilst they accounted for 84 per cent of all lifer receptions in 2002. Male young offenders accountedfor 12 per cent of lifer receptions but only 3 per cent of the lifer population(1).

Population and receptions by principal offence and sex (Tables 5.2 and 5.3; Figure 5.2)

5.3 On 30th June 2002, 70 per cent of the male lifer population in prison were mandatory lifers, who hadbeen convicted of murder. Among female lifers in prison, 78 per cent were mandatory lifers. Therehas been a decline since 1996 in the proportion of mandatory lifers among the lifer population. In1992, 79 per cent were mandatory lifers, compared to 83 per cent in 1995, 75 per cent in 1999 and 70per cent in 2002. This decline may be connected with the introduction of automatic life sentences forsecond serious violent or sexual offences.

5.4 In 2002, there were 310 receptions of mandatory lifers, the largest number ever. Ninety five per centof these receptions were male. Mandatory lifers accounted for 57 per cent of all male receptions, but71 per cent of all female receptions.

(1) Young Offenders are reclassified as adults before they reach the age of 22.

105

5.5 Of the lifers held by the Prison Service on 30th June 2002, 70 per cent were serving sentences formurder. A further 13 per cent had a principal offence of manslaughter, other homicide/ attemptedhomicide or other violence. Ten per cent were imprisoned for rape or other sexual offences. Therewere no sexual offenders in the female lifer population. Thirteen female lifers (8 per cent of allfemale lifers) were arsonists, compared with 2 per cent of male lifers. In 2002, 4 per cent of lifers had aprincipal offence of robbery compared to 2 per cent in 2001.

Figure 5.2

POPULATION OF LIFE SENTENCE PRISONERS, BY OFFENCE 30 JUNE 2002

Rape and other sexual offences

10%

Manslaughter, other homicideand other violence

13%

Murder70%

Other offences6%

5.6 There were 160 young offenders who were serving life sentences or who had been detained for lifeunder sections 90-93 of the Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000. Ninety two per cent ofthe young offenders serving such sentences were male. Sixty nine per cent (or 101) of male youngoffenders and 54 per cent (or 7) of all female young offenders had been convicted of murder.

Population and receptions by age and sex (Table 5.4)

5.7 Over a third (35 per cent) of the life-sentenced population on 30th June 2002 were in the age range30-39 years, and a quarter (25 per cent) were aged 40-49; a similar pattern to June 2001. Thelife-sentenced population was, in general, older than the prison population as a whole. Only 21 percent of the life-sentenced population were aged under 30 years, compared to 51 per cent of thesentenced prison population as a whole. Six per cent of the lifer prison population were aged 60 yearsor over, compared to only 2 per cent of the sentenced prison population.

5.8 Of the 530 lifer receptions in 2002, 44 per cent were aged under 30 years. One half (50 per cent) of allmale mandatory lifer receptions and over a third (37 per cent) of all male discretionary liferreceptions were aged less than 30. The corresponding figures for female lifer receptions were 20 percent and 67 per cent respectively. Two per cent of all male lifer receptions were aged 60 years or over.There were no female lifer receptions aged 60 years or over.

Population and receptions by ethnicity (Table 5.5)

5.9 Of the lifer population at 30th June 2002, 84 per cent were White, 11 per cent were Black, 3 per centwere South Asian and the remaining 3 per cent were Chinese and other. A greater proportion of thelifer population were White compared to the general prison population (77 per cent). Conversely, alesser proportion were Black, compared to the general prison population (15 per cent). Sixty-nineper cent of White life-sentenced prisoners and 67 per cent of Black life-sentenced prisoners wereserving mandatory life sentences. Among South Asians and ‘Chinese and other’, the proportion ofmandatory life sentences was 83 per cent and 86 per cent respectively.

106

Population by interval since reception (Table 5.6; Figure 5.3)

5.10 On 30th June 2002, 16 per cent of those in custody serving a life sentence had been sentenced between10 and 15 years ago, and another 20 per cent had been sentenced over 15 years ago. The comparablefigures for June 1975 were 8 per cent in the 10-15 years group and 2 per cent in the over 15 yearsgroup.

5.11 The lifer population at 30th June 2002 included 220 prisoners who had been released on life licencethat had subsequently been revoked (150 mandatory lifers and 70 others). This represented 4 percent of the lifer population.

Figure 5.3

POPULATION OF LIFE SENTENCE PRISONERS 30 JUNE 1975AND 30 JUNE 2002 BY TIME SERVED UNDER SENTENCE

2,500

2,000

1,500

1,000

500

0

622

1,928

1,389

398

85

819

24

1,010

less than 5 yrs 5 yrs less than 10 yrs 10 yrs less than 15 yrs 15 yrs and over

Number of years

Num

ber

of p

erso

ns

30 June 2002

30 June 1975

Releases on licence and time served (Tables 5.7, 5.8 and 5.9)

5.12 Time served after sentence and before release on life licence by life sentence prisoners variesconsiderably. In addition to being released on life licence, life sentence prisoners can be dischargedfor other reasons, such as successful appeals, or transfers to other jurisdictions or to psychiatrichospitals. Of those received under sentence between 1965 and 1974, 58 per cent were still in custody10 years after reception. Those received between 1975 and 1984 tended to wait longer to be released,with 70 per cent still in custody 10 years after reception.

5.13 Of those received between 1965 and 1991 who have since been released on licence, 33 per cent servedless than 10 years before their first release, 42 per cent served from 10 to less than 15 years and 25 percent served 15 years or more.

5.14 Table 5.8 shows the number of people first released on life licence in each year from 1992 to 2002 andthe average time they served since being sentenced. For mandatory lifers, mean time served hasincreased from 12.4 years in 1992 to 13.7 years in 2002. It should be noted that the small numbersinvolved cause a lot of fluctuation in the average.

107

5.15 The introduction of Discretionary Lifer Panels (DLPs) in the 1991 Criminal Justice Act led to anincrease in the numbers of discretionary life sentence prisoners who were released for the first timein 1993, as the backlog of prisoners who had served their “relevant parts” (a minimum period to beserved under sentence) were reviewed by the DLP. The number of discretionary lifers released wasfairly low from 1996. It increased to 30 in 2002. The number of mandatory lifers released on licencehas increased steadily since 1996, over 120 being released on licence for the first time in 2002.

5.16 The growth of the lifer population does not exactly equal the difference between receptions undersentence (Table 5.1) and first releases on licence (Table 5.8), as a number of other flows affectpopulation size. The most numerous of these are lifers whose life licence has been revoked, thoughthe overall numbers are small, with 26 being recalled to prison in 2002 (Table 5.9), second andsubsequent releases on licence (about 17 leaving each year), successful appeals against sentence(again, about 4 leaving each year), transfers to and from special hospitals (usually a few more leavingthan arriving), and deaths (about 15 a year).

5.17 Life sentence prisoners are released on a life licence which can be revoked if the offender commitsanother offence, or if the degree of perceived risk to the public is judged to require return to prison.Upon revocation the licensee is immediately recalled to prison to continue serving their lifesentence. Home Office Statistical Bulletin “Life Licensees — Reconvictions and Recalls by the endof 1995” indicates that of those released between 1972 and 1994, less than a tenth (9 per cent) werereconvicted of a standard list offence within 2 years; this group includes 1 per cent who werereconvicted for a grave offence(2). A smaller proportion of mandatory life sentence prisoners (8 percent) than discretionary life sentence prisoners (11 per cent) were reconvicted within 2 years.

(2) Grave offences are a subset of standard list offences. They cover all indictable-only offences which have a maximum sentence of lifeimprisonment; these are mainly offences of homicide, serious wounding, rape, buggery, robbery, aggravated burglary and arsonendangering life.

108

Table 5.1 Population and receptions of life prisoners by type of prisoner and sex

England and WalesLife sentence prisoners Number of persons

1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

Population 30 JuneTotal population 3,000 3,095 3,192 3,289 3,489 3,721 3,934 4,206 4,538 4,810 5,147

Males: 2,904 2,990 3,081 3,176 3,365 3,584 3,797 4,056 4,385 4,648 4,982Young offenders 87 77 83 83 75 100 121 131 144 137 147Adults 2,817 2,913 2,998 3,093 3,290 3,484 3,676 3,925 4,241 4,511 4,835

Females: 96 105 111 113 124 137 137 150 153 162 165Young offenders 4 4 5 5 5 9 5 8 7 10 13Adults 92 101 106 108 119 128 132 142 146 152 152

Annual Receptions under Life SentenceTotal receptions 236 243 222 280 338 384 413 477 492 512 533

Males: 222 225 213 259 327 363 398 458 470 494 512Young offenders 32 36 32 29 59 66 47 62 54 64 64Adults 190 189 181 230 268 297 351 396 416 430 448

Females: 14 18 9 21 11 21 15 19 22 18 21Young offenders – 5 1 3 1 5 1 4 4 4 5Adults 14 13 8 18 10 16 14 15 18 14 16

Table 5.2 Population and receptions of life prisoners by type of life sentence and sex


1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

Population 30 JuneTotal population 3,000 3,095 3,192 3,289 3,489 3,721 3,934 4,206 4,538 4,810 5,147

Males: 2,904 2,990 3,081 3,176 3,365 3,584 3,797 4,056 4,385 4,648 4,982Mandatory lifers 2,298 2,423 2,523 2,623 2,713 2,872 3,002 3,048 3,201 3,322 3,464Others 606 567 558 553 652 712 795 1,008 1,184 1,326 1,518

Females: 96 105 111 113 124 137 137 150 153 162 165Mandatory lifers 82 86 95 99 102 112 112 125 126 126 128Others 14 19 16 14 22 25 25 25 27 36 37


Males: 225 227 213 264 327 363 398 459 470 494 512Mandatory lifers 116 161 151 134 173 228 160 232 238 270 291Others 109 66 63 130 154 135 238 227 231 224 221

Females: 11 16 9 16 11 21 15 18 22 18 21Mandatory lifers 7 11 7 10 4 15 6 15 11 13 15Others 4 5 2 6 7 6 9 4 11 5 6

109

Table 5.3 Population of life prisoners by type of prisoner and principal offence

England and Wales, 30 June 2002Life sentence prisoners Number of persons

All Males Females

Young Adults All Young Adults All Young Adults Alloffenders offenders offenders

Population 30 JuneAll offences 160 4,987 5,147 147 4,835 4,982 13 152 165

Murder 109 3,483 3,591 101 3,362 3,464 7 120 128Manslaughter 5 168 173 4 161 166 1 7 8Other homicide and

attempted homicide 7 128 135 6 121 127 1 7 8Other violence against the

person 14 365 379 11 361 372 3 4 7Rape 14 472 486 14 472 486 – – –Other sexual offences – 49 49 – 49 49 – – –Other offences 10 215 225 10 213 223 – 2 2Arson 1 108 109 – 95 95 1 13 13

110

Table 5.4 Population and receptions of life prisoners by type of life sentence and age


60 andAge in years All ages 15–17 18–20 21–24 25–29 30–39 40–49 50–59 over

Population 30 JuneTotal population 5,147 30 103 355 610 1,825 1,294 641 289

Males 4,982 29 95 342 592 1,770 1,253 616 285Mandatory lifers 3,464 17 66 260 434 1,193 871 441 183Others 1,518 13 29 82 158 577 382 175 102

Females 165 1 8 13 18 55 41 25 4Mandatory lifers 128 – 5 5 13 49 34 19 3Others 37 1 3 9 5 6 8 6 1

Annual Receptions under Life SentenceTotal receptions 533 17 52 74 91 175 90 26 8

Males 512 16 48 72 91 166 87 24 8Mandatory lifers 291 10 30 52 53 81 48 12 5Others 221 6 18 20 38 85 39 12 3

Females 21 1 4 2 – 9 3 2 –Mandatory lifers 15 – 2 1 – 8 2 2 –Others 6 1 2 1 – 1 1 – –

Percentages

Population 30 JuneTotal Population 100 1 2 7 12 35 25 12 6

Males 100 1 2 7 12 36 25 12 6Mandatory lifers 100 – 2 7 13 34 25 13 5Others 100 1 2 5 10 38 25 12 7

Females 100 1 5 8 11 33 25 15 2Mandatory lifers 100 – 4 4 11 38 26 15 2Others 100 3 8 23 13 15 21 15 3

Annual Receptions under Life SentenceTotal receptions 100 3 10 14 17 33 17 5 2

Males 100 3 9 14 18 32 17 5 2Mandatory lifers 100 3 10 18 18 28 16 4 2Others 100 3 8 9 17 38 18 5 1

Females 100 5 19 10 – 43 14 10 –Mandatory lifers 100 – 13 7 – 53 13 13 –Others 100 17 33 17 – 17 17 – –

111

Table 5.5 Population and receptions of life prisoners by type of life sentence and ethnic group

England and Wales, 30 June 2002Life sentence prisoners Number of persons Percentages

South Chinese Not South ChineseEthnic group All White Asian Black /other known All White Asian Black /other

Population 30 JuneTotal population 5,147 4,304 159 546 135 3 100 100 100 100 100

Males 4,982 4,164 154 535 126 3 97 97 97 98 94Mandatory lifers 3,464 2,872 127 356 108 1 67 67 80 65 80Others 1,518 1,292 26 179 19 2 29 30 17 33 14

Females 165 140 5 12 9 – 3 3 3 2 6Mandatory lifers 128 105 5 11 8 – 2 2 3 2 6Others 37 35 – 1 1 – 1 1 – – 1


Males 512 387 19 83 22 1 96 96 100 98 96Mandatory lifers 291 214 17 45 15 – 55 53 89 53 65Others 221 173 2 38 7 1 41 43 11 45 30

Females 21 18 – 2 1 – 4 4 – 2 4Mandatory lifers 15 13 – 1 1 – 3 3 – 1 4Others 6 5 – 1 – – 1 1 – 1 –

Table 5.6 Population of life prisoners by interval since date of initial reception on life sentence


5 to 10 to 15 to 20 toInterval since first less than less than less than less than less than 30 yearsreception on life sentence All 5 years 10 years 15 years 20 years 30 years and over

Original sentence 4,931 1,893 1,356 794 483 338 66Mandatory lifers 3,445 1,042 1,050 652 402 253 48Others 1,486 851 306 143 81 86 18

Recalls from licence to 30 June2002(1) 216 35 33 25 32 71 20

Mandatory lifers 146 18 18 17 24 54 15Others 70 17 15 8 8 17 5

All types 5,147 1,928 1,389 819 515 409 86Mandatory lifers 3,591 1,060 1,068 669 426 307 63Others 1,556 868 321 151 89 103 23

(1) Includes time spent on release under licence.

112

Table 5.7 Receptions into prison by year of initial reception on life sentence


Year offirstre-

ceptionson life

sentence

Totalreceived

Releasedon licence

by end2002

less than10 years

10 to lessthan 15years


20 yearsand over

Releasedfor other(2)

reasons byend 2002

less than10 years


15 years toless than20 years

20 yearsand over

Total notreleasedby end2002

Median(3)

number ofyears to

release onlicence

Time served under sentence(1) Time served under sentence(1)

1965 76 64 26 25 6 7 7 5 – – 2 5 111966 89 67 23 25 9 10 18 8 2 2 6 4 111967 89 71 29 25 7 10 14 6 3 2 3 4 101968 92 65 26 29 5 5 23 13 2 3 5 4 101969 103 80 34 26 12 8 17 9 1 3 4 6 101970 134 98 40 38 8 12 28 14 6 2 6 8 101971 128 96 41 27 11 17 21 15 2 2 2 11 101972 102 74 32 29 2 11 21 11 2 4 4 7 101973 139 76 33 25 10 8 41 24 3 7 7 22 101974 169 112 61 28 16 7 34 23 3 3 5 23 91975 160 91 32 30 16 13 52 22 8 12 10 17 111976 167 109 30 31 39 9 36 22 7 5 2 22 141977 185 99 28 31 31 9 61 40 8 4 9 25 131978 191 89 28 31 22 8 64 45 9 5 5 38 131979 191 96 25 44 19 8 47 30 6 9 2 48 121980 222 118 29 55 23 11 63 39 11 8 5 41 121981 185 88 19 39 24 6 46 28 15 3 – 51 121982 248 120 32 50 35 3 59 37 14 8 – 69 121983 175 76 10 36 30 – 50 37 6 7 – 49 141984 200 80 16 35 29 – 48 36 6 6 – 72 131985 213 72 8 47 17 – 56 41 14 1 – 85 121986 247 70 17 39 14 – 80 61 13 6 – 97 121987 257 69 14 51 4 – 73 61 12 – – 115 121988 262 60 16 44 – – 75 59 16 – – 127 111989 248 71 26 45 – – 62 56 6 – – 115 101990 229 51 25 26 – – 48 47 1 – – 130 101991 263 47 26 21 – – 46 43 3 – – 170 9

(1) Excluding any time spent either on remand in custody or following any subsequent recall.(2) Including successful appeals, deaths and transfers to psychiatric hospitals or to outside England and Wales.(3) Number of complete years which 50 per cent of those received, excluding “other” releases, had served before being released on licence. Figures are not

available for the latest years because insufficient inmates have been released to establish medians.

113

Table 5.8 Number of first releases from prison on life licence and average time served


Year of firstrelease

Totalreleased

Number Mean timeserved(years)

Median timeserved(years)

Number Mean timeserved(years)

Median timeserved(years)

Mandatory lifers Others

1992 90 67 12.4 12 23 15.3 151993 126 66 14.4 14 60 14.6 141994 106 77 15.4 14 29 13.6 131995 92 60 14.0 13 32 13.5 121996 85 71 13.1 12 14 17.3 171997 98 88 14.4 14 10 13.3 121998 98 90 13.3 13 8 13.6 111999 122 113 13.1 12 9 16.2 152000 127 113 13.3 12 14 13.5 122001 138 126 13.1 13 12 10.0 92002 153 123 13.7 13 30 8.3 4

Table 5.9 Number of recalls from life licence and time spent on licence


Year Total recallsfrom licence

duringyear(1)

less than12 months

12 months tounder2 years

2 years tounder5 years

5 years tounder

10 years

10 years ormore

Time elapsed between last release and recall

1999 Murder 22 1 5 6 4 6Other 12 2 – 4 4 2

2000 Murder 28 3 6 5 8 6Other 6 3 1 2 – –

2001 Murder 26 2 7 6 1 10Other 4 2 – – 2 –

2002 Murder 18 4 4 3 2 5Other 8 2 1 2 1 2

(1) Inmates whose licences have been revoked and were recalled to custody excluding abscondees.

114

CHAPTER 6

ETHNIC GROUP AND NATIONALITY

Key points

Ethnic group

● On 30th June 2002, 16,170 people in Prison Service establishments in England and Wales were fromethnic minority groups. This was an increase of 15 per cent (or 2,120) from the 14,050 held in June2001. Over the same period, the prison population as a whole increased by 7 per cent.

● The population of ‘Chinese and other’ prisoners has increased the most since 1992 (up 183 per cent),whereas White and South Asian prisoners have increased the least (46 and 58 per cent respectively).

● The increase in the ethnic minority population is linked to the increase in the population of foreignnationals; a considerable proportion (35 per cent) of prisoners belonging to an ethnic minority groupare foreign nationals.

● Ethnic minority groups made up 22 per cent of the male prison population and 29 per cent of thefemale prison population at the end of June 2002. This is a small increase compared to 2001 whenethnic minority groups made up 21 per cent of the male population and 26 per cent of the femaleprison population.

● Among sentenced males, a higher proportion of White prisoners were in prison for violent or sexualoffences (34 per cent) or for burglary (19 per cent) than were Black prisoners (24 per cent and 9 percent respectively). Black male prisoners were more likely than White males to be held for robbery(21 per cent among Black prisoners, 12 per cent among White prisoners) and for drugs offences (33per cent among Black prisoners, 13 per cent among White prisoners).

● Among sentenced adults, 51 per cent of the White population were serving sentences of 4 years ormore. The equivalent figures among sentenced adults from other ethnic groups were 65 per cent ofthe Black population, 58 per cent of the South Asian population and 60 per cent from ‘Chinese andother’ ethnic groups.

Nationality

● On 30th June 2002, 7,720, or 11 per cent, of the prison population were foreign nationals. Thisrepresented an increase in the number of foreign nationals in prison, from 6,930, or 10 per cent of thetotal population, in 2001.

● Twenty eight per cent of sentenced female British nationals were being held for drugs offences.Among female foreign nationals, the proportion being held for drugs offences was 84 per cent.

115

Ethnic group (Table 6.1; figure 6.1)

6.1 In June 2002, 16,170 prisoners held in Prison Service establishments were known to belong to ethnicminority groups. Ethnic minority groups made up 22 per cent of the male prison population and29 per cent of the female population. This is a small increase compared to 2001 when 21 and 26 percent respectively were from ethnic minority groups. In 2002, the largest ethnic minority group was ofBlack prisoners, who accounted for 15 per cent of the male prison population and 24 per cent of thefemale prison population. South Asians and ‘Chinese and others’ accounted for 3 per cent and 4 percent respectively of the male population and 1 per cent and 5 per cent respectively of the femalepopulation.

6.2 The population of ‘Chinese and other’ prisoners has increased the most since 1992 (up 183 per cent),whereas White and South Asian prisoners have increased the least (46 and 58 per cent respectively).The increase in the ethnic minority population is linked to the increase in the population of foreignnationals; a considerable proportion (35 per cent) of prisoners belonging to an ethnic minority groupare foreign nationals.

Figure 6.1

PRISON POPULATION BY ETHNIC GROUP: 1992 to 2002

300%

250%

200%

150%

100%

50%

1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

White Black South Asian Chinese & Other

6.3 Data on the ethnicity of prisoners are collected primarily to provide the management of the PrisonService with information to assist in the development of race relations policy and practices. Between1985 and 1992, the system of ethnic classification used in prisons was similar to that used for officialsurveys such as the EC Labour Force Survey. In October 1992, a new ethnic classification system wasintroduced which is congruent with that used in the 1991 Census of Population. Although the 2classifications are broadly similar, ethnicity figures before and after October 1992 are not directlycomparable (See also Appendix 2). The ethnicity codes used for the statistics in this publication arebased on the 1991 Census of Population. Incarceration rates by ethnic group are not presented in thispublication because the general population figures are now based on the categories used in the 2001Census of Population. In 2003, the Prison Service started to introduce the ethnicity classificationbased on the 2001 Census of Population.

Nationality (Table 6.2 & 6.3; figures 6.2-6.5)

6.4 In June 2002, 11 per cent of the prison population were known to be foreign nationals, 10 per cent ofthe male population and 20 per cent of the female population. The population of foreign nationalshas increased by 120 per cent since 1993 compared to a 55 per cent increase in British Nationals.Much of the increase in foreign nationals has been since 2000.

116

Figure 6.2

PRISON POPULATION BY NATIONALITY: 1993 TO 2002

250%

200%

150%

100%

50%

0%

1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

Foreign national British national

6.5 Of male foreign nationals, a third (33 per cent) were from the West Indies, 30 per cent had Europeannationalities, 12 per cent were Asian nationals and 18 per cent were African nationals. Of femaleforeign nationals, 60 per cent had West Indian nationalities and 18 per cent were European, while 11per cent were African nationals and 4 per cent were Asian.

Figure 6.3

FOREIGN NATIONALS IN THE PRISON POPULATION ON 30 JUNE 2002BY SEX AND NATIONALITY

Other

Africa

West Indies

Asia

N+S America

Europe

90%

100%

80%

70%

60%

50%

40%

30%

20%

10%

0%

Males Females

117

6.6 Foreign nationals account for a higher proportion of ethnic minority prisoners than of Whiteprisoners. In 2002, foreign nationals made up 4 per cent of the White prison population, 35 per cent ofBlack prisoners, 25 per cent of South Asians and 44 per cent of prisoners from ‘Chinese and other’ethnic groups. Among Black female prisoners, the proportion of foreign nationals was 60 per cent,compared to 5 per cent of White female prisoners.

Figure 6.4

MALE PRISON POPULATION 30 JUNE 2002: ETHNIC GROUP BY NATIONALITY

100%

90%

80%

70%

60%

50%

40%

30%

20%

10%

0%White Black South Asian Chinese & Other Unrecorded

British Nationals Foreign Nationals Nationality unknown

Figure 6.5

FEMALE PRISON POPULATION 30 JUNE 2002: ETHNIC GROUP BY NATIONALITY

100%

90%

80%

70%

60%

50%

40%

30%

20%

10%

0%

White Black South Asian Chinese & Other Unrecorded

British Nationals Foreign Nationals Nationality unknown

118

Type of prisoner (Table 6.3)

6.7 Over 8 in 10 (82 per cent) non-criminal prisoners were foreign nationals. The majority of these wereheld for Immigration Act offences. The total proportion of non-criminal prisoners belonging toethnic minority groups were as follows: 42 per cent Black, 10 per cent South Asian, 17 per cent from‘Chinese or other’ ethnic groups.

Offence type (Table 6.4; figures 6.6 and 6.7)

6.8 For males and females, the proportion sentenced for various types of offence differed considerablybetween White prisoners and members of ethnic minority groups, and between foreign and Britishnationals.

6.9 In mid-2002, 34 per cent of White sentenced males were in prison for violence against the person orsexual offences, 19 per cent for burglary, 12 per cent for robbery and 13 per cent for drugs offences.The proportions of Black sentenced males who were in prison for robbery (21 per cent) and for drugsoffences (33 per cent) were higher than among Whites. But proportionately fewer Black males hadbeen sentenced for burglary (9 per cent) and for violence against the person or sexual offences (24per cent) than White males.

6.10 There was also a slightly higher proportion of drug offenders within the South Asian (25 per cent)and ‘Chinese and other’ (28 per cent) male sentenced populations than among White male prisoners.

Figure 6.6

MALE POPULATION UNDER SENTENCE ON 30 JUNE 2002 BY ETHNICGROUP AND OFFENCE TYPE: ALL NATIONALITIES

100%

90%

80%

70%

60%

50%

40%

30%

20%

10%

0%White Black South Asian Chinese & Other

Other

Drugs

Theft and fraud

Robbery

Burglary

Violence againstthe person andsexual

6.12 Among White sentenced females, 27 per cent were in prison for drugs offences, 22 percent forviolence against the person or sexual offences and 18 per cent for theft and handling offences.Among Black sentenced female prisoners, 75 per cent were held for drugs offences.

6.13 Twenty one per cent of sentenced female prisoners were foreign nationals, compared with 9 per centamong sentenced male prisoners. The most frequent type of offence among female sentencedprisoners with foreign nationality was drugs offences (84 per cent). This compares with 28 per centamong British female sentenced prisoners. A substantial proportion of female foreign nationalprisoners have been arrested at ports or other locations and convicted of importing drugs. Theseoffences carry longer sentences than average, which means that such offenders aredisproportionately represented among the prison population. Eighty-two per cent of female foreignnationals serving sentences for drugs offences were Black, 11 per cent were White, and 6 per centwere ‘Chinese and other’.

119

Figure 6.7

SENTENCED FEMALES BY NATIONALITY AND OFFENCE AT 30 JUNE 2002

90%

80%

70%

60%

50%

40%

30%

20%

10%

0%Violence against

the person &sexual

Burglary Robbery Theft & fraud Drugs Other offences

British nationals Foreign nationals

6.14 Within the sentenced British female prison population, there are considerable differences in offencetype between White females and females from ethnic minorities. The proportion of White Britishfemales sentenced for drugs offences was 26 per cent compared to 46 per cent of Black Britishfemales. The proportion of Black British females sentenced for drugs offences was higher than theproportion of Black British males sentenced for drugs offences (18 per cent). The difference betweenthe proportions of British White and Black females sentenced for drugs offences (21 percentagepoints) is higher than between the proportions of British White and Black males sentenced for drugsoffences (6 percentage points).

Sentence length (Table 6.5; figures 6.8 and 6.9)

6.15 Sixty-five per cent of adult Black prisoners were serving sentences of 4 years and over. Among theother ethnic groups, the proportions of adult prisoners who were serving sentences of 4 years andover were 58 per cent of South Asians, 60 per cent of ‘Chinese and others’, and 51 per cent of Whites.

6.16 Among young offenders, members of ethnic minority groups appear to be, on average, servinglonger sentences than Whites. Eighty-six per cent of sentenced young South Asians, 86 per cent ofyoung Blacks, and 80 per cent of ‘Chinese and others’ were serving sentences of 12 months or more,compared to 74 per cent of young Whites.

120

Figure 6.8

ADULT OFFENDERS — PERCENTAGE SENTENCED TO 4 YEARS OR MORE BYETHNIC GROUP 30 JUNE 2002

100

90

80

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

0

51

65

58 60

White Black SouthAsian

Chinese &Other

Figure 6.9

YOUNG OFFENDERS — PERCENTAGE SENTENCED TO 12 MONTHS OR MORE BYETHNIC GROUP 30 JUNE 2002

100

90

80

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

0

74

86 8680

White Black SouthAsian

Chinese &Other

6.17 Some of the differences between the sentence lengths being served by the members of differentethnic groups may be explained by the proportions convicted for offences such as drugs offences,which tend to attract longer sentences. Nevertheless, the Home Office Statistical Bulletin ‘TheEthnic Origin of Prisoners’ (HOSB 21/94), concluded that in 1990, Black male adult prisonersreceived, on average, sentences which were 98 days longer than would be expected, taking intoaccount the age of the offender, the type of offence and the type of court sentencing. Black offenderswho were aged under 21 received sentences which were 36 days longer on average than the averagefor all offenders. Asian offenders (who are not over-represented in the prison population relative tothe national population) received sentences which were around 45 days longer than the average.Although the bulletin considered many possible explanatory factors such as age, type of offence andtype of court, some factors such as previous convictions and differences in plea rates between ethnicgroups were not taken into account.

121

Table 6.1 Population in prison by sex and ethnic group(1)

England and Wales, 30 JuneMales and females Number of persons and percentages

Ethnic group(1)

Total White Black(2) South Asian(3) Chinese UnrecordedSex of prisoner & Other(4)

number per cent number per cent number per cent number per cent number per cent number per centMales and females1992 45,486 100 37,705 83 4,773 10 1,388 3 1,043 2 577 11993 44,246 100 36,855 83 5,013 11 1,356 3 926 2 96 –1994 48,879 100 40,754 83 5,606 11 1,347 3 1,102 2 70 –1995 51,084 100 42,207 83 5,982 12 1,497 3 1,318 3 80 –1996 55,256 100 45,029 81 6,986 13 1,654 3 1,524 3 63 –

1997 61,467 100 50,164 82 7,585 12 1,866 3 1,795 3 57 –1998 65,727 100 53,677 82 7,976 12 2,007 3 2,046 3 21 –1999 64,529 100 52,377 81 7,964 12 1,929 3 2,225 3 34 –2000 65,194 100 52,581 81 8,287 13 1,837 3 2,457 4 32 –2001 66,403 100 52,303 79 9,223 14 1,993 3 2,835 4 49 –2002 71,218 100 54,985 77 11,023 15 2,197 3 2,948 4 63 –

Males1992 43,950 100 36,616 83 4,464 10 1,363 3 981 2 526 11993 42,666 100 35,691 84 4,690 11 1,335 3 854 2 96 –1994 47,075 100 39,399 84 5,236 11 1,320 3 1,050 2 70 –1995 49,086 100 40,697 83 5,592 11 1,470 3 1,247 3 80 –1996 52,951 100 43,280 82 6,538 12 1,629 3 1,441 3 63 –

1997 58,795 100 48,151 82 7,062 12 1,841 3 1,684 3 57 –1998 62,607 100 51,304 82 7,416 12 1,977 3 1,889 3 21 –1999 61,322 100 49,961 81 7,355 12 1,895 3 2,081 3 30 –2000 61,839 100 50,059 81 7,644 12 1,801 3 2,304 4 31 –2001 62,690 100 49,575 79 8,435 13 1,956 3 2,678 4 46 –2002 66,824 100 51,884 78 9,976 15 2,160 3 2,744 4 60 –

Females1992 1,536 100 1,089 71 309 20 25 2 62 4 51 31993 1,580 100 1,164 74 323 20 21 1 72 5 – –1994 1,804 100 1,355 75 370 21 27 1 52 3 – –1995 1,998 100 1,510 76 390 20 27 1 71 4 – –1996 2,305 100 1,749 76 448 19 25 1 83 4 – –

1997 2,672 100 2,013 75 523 20 25 1 111 4 – –1998 3,120 100 2,373 76 560 18 30 1 157 5 – –1999 3,207 100 2,416 75 609 19 34 1 144 4 4 –2000 3,355 100 2,522 75 643 19 36 1 153 5 1 –2001 3,713 100 2,728 73 788 21 37 1 157 4 3 –2002 4,394 100 3,101 71 1,048 24 38 1 205 5 3 –

– = nil or negligible.(1) Prior to 1993 coding of ethnic group was similar to that used in the EC Labour Force Survey. In 1993 a new ethnic classification system was adopted in

prisons which is congruent with that used for the Census of population. The change in coding means that figures for 1992 and 1993 to 2002 are not directlycomparable.

(2) In 1992 ethnic group classification was ‘West Indian, Guyanese, African’.(3) In 1992 ethnic group classification was ‘Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi’.(4) In 1992 ethnic group classification was ‘Chinese, Arab, Mixed Origin’.

122

Table 6.2 Population in prison on 30 June 2002 by nationality and sexPersons

Nationality Total Male Female

All Nationalities 71,218 66,824 4,394

UK national 62,553 59,095 3,458

Foreign national 7,719 6,835 884

Not recorded 946 895 51

Total Africa 1,297 1,203 94Angola 31 31 –Burundi 3 3 –Botswana 4 2 2Cote D Ivoire

(Ivory Coast) 9 9 –Central African

Republic 5 4 1Congo 34 33 1Cameroon, United

Republic 6 6 –Democratic Republic

of Congo 36 35 1Djibouti 1 1 –Algeria 111 111 –Egypt 9 9 –Ethiopia 16 16 –French Guiana 2 2 –Ghana 100 92 8Gambia 16 16 –Kenya 49 44 5Liberia 9 8 1Libya 16 16 –Morocco 36 32 4Mali 1 1 –Mayotte 1 1 –Mauritania 3 3 –Mauritius 10 10 –Malawi 6 6 –Mozambique 1 1 –Namibia 1 1 –Nigeria 265 236 29Rwanda 7 7 –Seychelles 5 3 2Sudan 11 10 1Sierra Leone 42 40 2Senegal 2 2 –Somalia 156 154 2Sao Tome and Principe 1 1 –Togo 3 3 –Tunisia 6 6 –Tongo 2 1 1Tanzania 8 7 1Uganda 45 44 1South Africa 170 143 27Zambia 19 17 2Zimbabwe 35 32 3

Total Asia 856 820 36Bangladesh 130 127 3Burma 2 2 –China 76 70 6Hong Kong 2 2 –Indonesia 3 3 –India 185 174 11Japan 1 1 –Cambodia 1 1 –Korean Dem Peoples

Rep (Nth) 1 1 –Korean Republic of (Sth) 3 3 –Sri Lanka 71 69 2Malaysia 13 13 –Phillipines 12 10 2Pakistan 314 308 6Singapore 5 4 1Thailand 4 3 1Vietnam 33 29 4

Total Central or South America 210 174 36Argentina 6 6 –Bolivia 1 – 1Brazil 27 16 11Belize 1 – 1Chile 12 10 2Columbia 113 102 11Ecuador 6 5 1Guatemala 2 2 –Mexico 4 2 2Panama 1 1 –Peru 3 2 1Surinam 4 3 1Uruguay 1 1 –Venezuela 29 24 5

Persons

Nationality Total Male Female

Total Europe 2,242 2,080 162Andorra 1 1 –Albania 74 72 2Armenia 5 4 1Austria 2 2 –Bosnia-Hercegovina 9 5 4Belgium 47 41 6Bulgaria 4 4 –Croatia 4 4 –Czech Republic 34 34 –Cyprus 58 57 1Germany 99 86 13Denmark 9 9 –Estonia 4 4 –Finland 1 1 –France 95 85 10Georgia 2 2 –Gibraltar 2 2 –Greece 23 21 2Hungary 17 17 –Irish Republic 663 617 46Iceland 1 1 –Italy 105 101 4Kazakhstan 1 1 –Lithuania 50 47 3Latvia 13 12 1Luxembourg 1 1 –Moldova 3 3 –Macedonia 4 4 –Malta 10 10 –Netherlands 204 181 23Norway 3 1 2Poland 46 41 5Portugal 94 84 10Romania 50 42 8Russian Federation 38 38 –Serbia and Montenegro 114 113 1Slovakia 4 4 –Slovenia 1 1 –Spain 114 99 15Sweden 5 3 2Switzerland 7 6 1Turkey 217 216 1Turkmenistan 2 1 1Uzbekistan 1 1 –

Total Middle East 210 206 4United Arab Emirates 2 2 –Afghanistan 32 32 –Iran 58 57 1Israel 6 6 –Iraq 68 68 –Jordan 6 6 –Kuwait 2 2 –Lebanon 11 10 1Oman 2 1 1Qatar 1 1 –Saudi Arabia 12 11 1Syrian Arab Republic 3 3 –Republic of Yemen 6 6 –

Total North America 98 82 16Canada 24 22 2United States of

America 74 60 14Total Oceania 42 35 7

Australia 30 25 5Fiji 2 2 –French Southern

Territories 2 2 –Kiribati 1 1 –New Zealand 7 5 2

Total Other 7 7 –Total West Indies 2,758 2,228 530

Netherlands Antilles 15 12 3Barbados 29 27 2Bermuda 1 1 –Bahamas 3 3 –Cuba 1 1 –Dominica 7 7 –Dominican Republic 4 3 1Grenada 19 16 3Guyana 23 20 3Jamaica 2,583 2,077 507Cayman Islands 1 1 –St Lucia 19 16 3Montserrat 9 7 2St Christopher & Nevis 2 2 –St Kitts and Nevis 4 2 2Trinidad and Tobago 31 27 4St Vincent & The Grenadines 6 6 –Virgin Islands 1 1 –

123

Table 6.3 Population in prison by ethnic group, type of prisoner, sex and nationality


Type of prisoner Ethnic group

Total White Black South Asian Chinese & UnrecordedOther

Males and femalesTotal(1)(2) 71,218 54,985 11,023 2,197 2,948 63

British Nationals 62,553 52,449 6,933 1,594 1,519 59Foreign Nationals 7,719 2,007 3,871 555 1,283 4

Untried 7,877 5,603 1,505 284 479 7British Nationals 6,282 4,892 948 202 233 7Foreign Nationals 966 260 452 59 195 –

Convicted unsentenced 5,204 4,118 727 128 230 1British Nationals 4,709 3,977 499 103 130 1Foreign Nationals 457 134 212 22 88 –

Sentenced 57,272 44,984 8,434 1,705 2,093 56British Nationals 51,471 43,503 5,478 1,287 1,153 51Foreign Nationals 5,607 1,416 2,891 413 884 4

Non-criminal 831 258 350 79 144 –British Nationals 61 54 2 2 2 –Foreign Nationals 685 196 314 60 114 –

Fine defaulters 34 23 7 1 3 –British Nationals 29 23 6 – 1 –Foreign Nationals 4 – 1 1 2 –

MalesTotal(1)(2) 66,824 51,884 9,976 2,160 2,744 60

British Nationals 59,095 49,536 6,525 1,572 1,407 56Foreign Nationals 6,835 1,853 3,242 539 1,196 4

Untried 7,351 5,191 1,429 278 446 7British Nationals 5,856 4,529 905 198 217 7Foreign Nationals 901 239 424 57 182 –

Convicted unsentenced 4,732 3,719 669 126 217 1British Nationals 4,289 3,601 466 101 121 1Foreign Nationals 407 113 187 22 84 –

Sentenced 53,936 42,704 7,564 1,676 1,940 53British Nationals 48,866 41,331 5,148 1,271 1,068 48Foreign Nationals 4,890 1,310 2,358 399 819 4

Non-criminal 774 250 307 79 138 –British Nationals 57 53 1 2 – –Foreign Nationals 633 191 272 60 110 –

Fine defaulters 31 21 6 1 3 –British Nationals 26 21 5 – 1 –Foreign Nationals 4 – 1 1 2 –

FemalesTotal(1)(2) 4,394 3,101 1,048 38 205 3

British Nationals 3,458 2,913 408 22 112 3Foreign Nationals 884 153 628 16 87 –

Untried 526 412 76 6 32 –British Nationals 427 363 43 4 17 –Foreign Nationals 65 21 29 2 14 –

Convicted unsentenced 472 399 58 2 13 –British Nationals 420 376 33 2 9 –Foreign Nationals 50 21 25 – 4 –

Sentenced 3,336 2,281 869 30 153 3British Nationals 2,605 2,172 330 16 84 3Foreign Nationals 717 106 533 14 65 –

Non-criminal 57 8 43 – 6 –British Nationals 4 1 1 – 2 –Foreign Nationals 52 6 42 – 4 –

Fine defaulters 3 2 1 – – –British Nationals 3 2 1 – – –Foreign Nationals – – – – – –

(1) Includes persons of unknown or unrecorded nationality.

124

Table 6.4 Population in prison under sentence by ethnic group, nationality, offence and sex

England and Wales, 30 June 2002Females Number of persons, per cent

Type of offence Ethnic group

Total White Black South Chinese Un- Total White Black South ChineseAsian & Other recorded Asian & Other

Number per centAll nationalities(1)

Total 3,336 2,281 869 30 153 3 100 100 100 100 100Violence against the person 534 457 46 9 22 1 16 21 5 30 15Rape 5 5 – – – – – – – – –Other sexual offences 17 14 2 – 1 – 1 1 – – 1Burglary 230 198 19 1 12 – 7 9 2 3 8Robbery 310 244 53 1 10 1 9 11 6 3 7Theft and handling 462 407 37 2 16 – 14 18 4 7 11Fraud and forgery 122 77 29 6 11 – 4 3 3 20 7Drug offences 1,331 611 645 9 65 1 41 27 75 30 44Other offences 257 213 30 2 12 – 8 10 3 7 8Not recorded 69 55 9 – 5 –

British nationalsTotal 2,605 2,172 330 16 84 3 100 100 100 100 100Violence against the person 507 447 38 6 15 1 20 21 12 37 19Rape 5 5 – – – – – – – – –Other sexual offences 16 14 2 – – – 1 1 1 – –Burglary 219 196 18 – 5 – 9 9 6 – 6Robbery 299 238 49 – 10 1 12 11 15 – 13Theft and handling 447 403 32 2 10 – 18 19 10 12 12Fraud and forgery 90 69 13 2 6 – 4 3 4 12 7Drug offences 726 544 150 5 26 1 29 26 46 32 33Other offences 233 204 20 1 8 – 9 10 6 6 10Not recorded 64 52 8 – 5 –

Foreign nationalsTotal 717 106 533 14 65 – 100 100 100 100 100Violence against the person 26 10 7 3 6 – 4 10 1 21 9Rape – – – – – – – – – – –Other sexual offences 1 – – – 1 – – – – – 2Burglary 10 2 1 1 6 – 1 2 – 7 9Robbery 10 5 4 1 – – 1 5 1 7 –Theft and handling 14 4 4 – 6 – 2 4 1 – 9Fraud and forgery 31 7 15 4 5 – 4 7 3 28 8Drug offences 599 66 491 4 37 – 84 64 92 29 57Other offences 24 9 10 1 4 – 3 9 2 7 6Not recorded 4 3 1 – – –

– = nil or negligible.(1) Including prisoners where nationality was unrecorded.

125

Table 6.4 Population in prison under sentence by ethnic group, nationality, offence and sex

England and Wales, 30 June 2002Males Number of persons, per cent

Type of offence Ethnic group

Total White Black South Chinese Un- Total White Black South ChineseAsian & Other recorded Asian & Other

Number per centAll nationalities(1)

Total 53,936 42,704 7,564 1,676 1,940 53 100 100 100 100 100Violence against the person 11,668 9,539 1,381 374 366 7 22 23 19 23 19Rape 2,918 2,377 357 80 102 2 6 6 5 5 5Other sexual offences 2,365 2,176 81 56 51 1 4 5 1 3 3Burglary 8,922 7,994 665 89 159 15 17 19 9 5 8Robbery 7,197 5,236 1,547 201 205 7 14 12 21 12 11Theft and handling 4,282 3,664 388 86 138 7 8 9 5 5 7Fraud and forgery 917 576 138 91 112 1 2 1 2 6 6Drug offences 8,724 5,331 2,446 414 528 5 16 13 33 25 28Other offences 5,941 5,010 455 238 231 6 11 12 6 15 12Not recorded 1,002 801 106 46 47 2

British nationalsTotal 48,866 41,331 5,148 1,271 1,068 48 100 100 100 100 100Violence against the person 10,901 9,305 1,115 259 216 6 23 23 22 21 21Rape 2,655 2,311 244 53 46 2 6 6 5 4 4Other sexual offences 2,252 2,133 55 32 32 – 5 5 1 3 3Burglary 8,696 7,864 610 79 130 14 18 19 12 6 13Robbery 6,780 5,101 1,342 173 158 6 14 13 27 14 15Theft and handling 4,072 3,579 333 69 84 7 8 9 7 6 8Fraud and forgery 685 534 60 54 35 1 1 1 1 4 3Drug offences 6,315 4,855 932 312 211 5 13 12 18 25 20Other offences 5,561 4,861 368 202 124 5 12 12 7 16 12Not recorded 949 788 89 37 33 2

Foreign nationalsTotal 4,890 1,310 2,358 399 819 4 100 100 100 100 100Violence against the person 730 221 252 115 142 1 15 17 11 29 18Rape 259 65 111 27 55 – 5 5 5 7 7Other sexual offences 106 39 25 24 17 1 2 3 1 6 2Burglary 210 122 50 10 28 1 4 9 2 3 3Robbery 395 128 196 27 43 – 8 10 8 7 5Theft and handling 188 75 50 16 47 – 4 6 2 4 6Fraud and forgery 222 41 75 35 71 – 5 3 3 9 9Drug offences 2,374 466 1,501 102 305 – 49 36 64 26 38Other offences 357 142 83 34 96 1 7 11 4 9 12Not recorded 50 12 15 9 15 –

– = nil or negligible.(1) Including prisoners where nationality was unrecorded.

126

Table 6.5 Population in prison by ethnic group, sex, type of prisoner and length of sentence


Type of prisoner Ethnic group

Total White Black South Asian Chinese & UnrecordedOther

Males and femalesTotal 71,218 54,986 11,019 2,199 2,951 64

Remand 13,081 9,720 2,232 412 709 8Untried 7,877 5,603 1,505 284 479 7Convicted unsentenced 5,204 4,118 727 128 230 1

Sentenced 57,272 44,985 8,429 1,707 2,095 56Young Offenders 8,855 6,897 1,329 298 322 9

Less than 12 months 2,099 1,807 187 41 64 -12 months or more 6,756 5,089 1,143 257 258 9

Adults 48,417 38,088 7,100 1,409 1,774 47Less than 12 months 5,697 4,862 488 148 191 812 months to less than 4 years 16,952 13,949 2,021 449 515 184 years or more 25,768 19,276 4,591 812 1,067 21

Non-criminal 831 258 350 79 144 –Fine defaulters 34 23 7 1 3 –

MalesTotal 66,824 51,883 9,973 2,161 2,746 61

Remand 12,083 8,910 2,098 404 663 8Untried 7,351 5,191 1,429 278 446 7Convicted unsentenced 4,732 3,719 669 126 217 1

Sentenced 53,936 42,702 7,562 1,677 1,942 53Young Offenders 8,368 6,521 1,244 296 298 9

Less than 12 months 1,955 1,686 176 40 53 –12 months or more 6,413 4,835 1,068 256 244 9

Adults 45,568 36,181 6,318 1,381 1,644 44Less than 12 months 5,232 4,460 446 144 174 812 months to less than 4 years 15,813 13,090 1,786 443 478 164 years or more 24,523 18,632 4,085 794 992 20

Non-criminal 774 250 307 79 138 –Fine defaulters 31 21 6 1 3 –

FemalesTotal 4,394 3,103 1,046 38 205 3

Remand 998 811 134 8 46 –Untried 526 412 76 6 32 –Convicted unsentenced 472 399 58 2 13 –

Sentenced 3,336 2,282 868 30 153 3Young Offenders 487 376 85 2 24 –

Less than 12 months 144 121 11 1 11 –12 months or more 343 255 74 1 13 –

Adults 2,849 1,906 782 28 129 3Less than 12 months 465 402 41 4 17 –12 months to less than 4 years 1,139 859 235 6 37 24 years or more 1,245 645 506 18 75 1

Non-criminal 57 8 43 – 6 –Fine defaulters 3 2 1 – – –

127

CHAPTER 7

RELIGION

Key points

● The largest group of prison inmates was Anglican, who formed 36 per cent of the prison population,followed by Roman Catholics (17 per cent) and Muslims (8 per cent). Free Church and OtherChristians accounted for 2 and 3 per cent respectively. Buddhists accounted for about 1 per cent andSikhs, Hindus and Jews each accounted for less than one percent of the population.

● Buddhists were the fastest growing group of the prison population. This group has more thandoubled in size over the last nine years, growing by 279 per cent between 1993 and 2002; the prisonpopulation as a whole grew by 69 per cent over the same period. The second highest rate of growthoverall was among prisoners with No religion, who increased by 203 per cent between 1993 and 2002.

● Christianity was the most common religion among both White prisoners (63 per cent) and Blackprisoners (54 per cent). South Asians, on the other hand, were almost exclusively Muslim (73 percent), Sikh (14 per cent) or Hindu (6 per cent).

● Female prisoners were slightly more likely to have a religious affiliation than their malecounterparts.

128

Introduction

7.1 The religious affiliation of a prisoner is recorded at reception into a prison establishment, at the sametime as other personal details such as name, date of birth and ethnicity. It should be noted thatreligion, like ethnicity, is self-reported by the prisoner. Subsequent to reception, a member of thechaplaincy team undertakes the duty of interviewing every prisoner, regardless of faith, to check thathis or her religion has been correctly recorded. If the prisoner’s faith has been incorrectly recorded,the Chaplain will amend the information on the prisoner’s file.

7.2 From 1993 to 1998, statistics on religion were recorded by the Annual Census of Religion carried outby the Chaplaincy of HM Prison Service. Since 1999 information on religion is held as part of theprison’s Local Inmate Data System (LIDS). Information can be amended on LIDS for prisoners whochange their religious affiliation during their time in prison. However, there is currently no systemfor recording such conversions. The constraints presented by the present recording system make itextremely difficult, if not impossible, to count the number and nature of any religious conversion thatoccurs during the term of a prisoner’s sentence. The statistics do not distinguish those prisoners whomay have changed their religion during custody.

General Trends (Table 7.1; figure 7.1)

7.3 The prison population increased by 69 per cent between 1993 and 2002. All religious groups recordedrises in the population in this period except for Jewish. The largest increase over this period wasamong the Buddhists, which grew by 279 per cent. The population of all Christians showed less thanaverage growth, increasing by 32 per cent between 1993 and 2002. Within this group the number ofRoman Catholics increased by 59 per cent, whilst the rate of growth among Anglicans was 19 percent.

7.4 The second highest rate of growth overall was among prisoners with No religion, this group increasedby 203 per cent over 1993-2002. There was a higher than average rate of growth among Muslims whoincreased by 161 per cent over the same period. Hindus increased by 69 per cent and there was anincrease of 59 per cent in prisoners from Non-recognised religious groups.

7.5 Figure 7.1 shows the number of prisoners in the main religious groups in the prison population from1993 to 2002.

Figure 7.1

PRISON POPULATION BY RELIGION 1993-2002

1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

45,000

40,000

35,000

30,000

25,000

20,000

15,000

10,000

5,000

0

All Christian All non-Christian No religion

Number of persons

129

Religion in the Prison Population in 2002 (Table 7.2; figure 7.2)

7.6 Christians form the largest single group, accounting for 58 per cent of all inmates in June 2002.Among Christian inmates, the largest group are Anglican who comprise 36 per cent of the totalpopulation. The second largest group are Roman Catholics who comprise around 17 per cent of thetotal. Free Church and Other Christians accounted for 2 and 3 per cent of the population.

7.7 The largest group of prisoners from religions other than Christianity is Muslims who comprise 8 percent of the total population. One per cent of prisoners were Buddhists. Other religious groups, suchas, Hindus, Jews and Sikhs, each form less than 1 per cent of the population. Inmates with No religionform an important minority at around 32 per cent of the total population. Less than 1 per cent ofthese were Agnostics and Atheists. The remainder had no stated religious affiliation.

Figure 7.2

PRISON POPULATION BY RELIGION, JUNE 2002

Free Church2%

Anglican36%

Roman Catholic17%

Other3%

Muslim8%

Other Christian3%

No religion32%

Religion and ethnicity (Table 7.3)

7.8 In 2002, the majority (84 per cent) of Christian inmates were White. Christianity was the mostcommon religion among both White prisoners (63 per cent) and Black prisoners (54 per cent). SouthAsians, on the other hand, were almost exclusively Muslim (73 per cent), Sikh (14 per cent) or Hindu(6 per cent).

7.9 The ethnic composition of Muslim prisoners was more diverse than for other religions; 33 per centwere Black prisoners, 29 per cent were South Asian, 26 per cent were ‘Chinese and other’, and 12 percent were White. Of the inmates with No religion 84 per cent were White, and 13 per cent were Black.‘Chinese and other’ accounted for 2 per cent of this group

Religion, gender and age (Tables 7.4 and 7.5; figures 7.3 and 7.4)

7.10 There were some differences in the religious profile of the male and female populations. Femaleprisoners were slightly more likely to have a religious affiliation than their male counterparts. In2002, 28 per cent of women were of No religion, compared to 32 per cent of males. Sixty eight per centof females were Christians compared to 57 per cent of males. In contrast, 8 per cent of the malepopulation were Muslims compared with 3 per cent of the female population.

7.11 The percentage of prisoners with no religion declined with age for both males and females.Fifty-seven per cent of 15-17 year old males were of no religion compared with 16 per cent of maleprisoners aged 60 years and over. The proportion of Anglican male prisoners increased with age from21 per cent among 15-17 year olds to 52 per cent among prisoners aged 60 years and over

130

Figure 7.3

MALE PRISON POPULATION BY RELIGION, JUNE 2002

Free Church2%

Anglican36%

No religion32%

Other3%

Muslim8%

Other Christian3%

Roman Catholic17%

Figure 7.4

FEMALE PRISON POPULATION BY RELIGION, JUNE 2002

Free Church5%

Anglican39%

Roman Catholic21%

Other Christian3%

Muslim3%

Other1%

No religion28%

Custody Type (Table 7.6)

7.12 There was variation by custody type across religions. Amongst males, Anglicans accounted for 37 percent of sentenced prisoners, 33 per cent of untried and convicted unsentenced prisoners and 13 percent of non criminal prisoners. Amongst females, Anglicans accounted for 40 per cent of sentencedprisoners, 35 per cent of untried, 39 per cent of convicted unsentenced prisoners and 28 per cent ofnon criminal prisoners.

7.13 Amongst males, only 17 per cent of non criminal prisoners (mainly immigration offences, but alsoinclude offences such as contempt of court) had no declared religion, compared to 31 per cent ofsentenced prisoners and 34 per cent of untried prisoners. For females, the figures were 28 per cent, 27per cent and 35 per cent.

131

7.14 For males, Muslims were the largest group amongst non criminal prisoners, accounting for 33 percent. Roman Catholics and Other Christians each accounted for 14 per cent, 13 per cent wereAnglicans and 17 per cent fell under the category No Religion.

7.15 Amongst males, non-criminal prisoners (mainly immigration offences, but also include offences suchas contempt of court) accounted for 8 per cent of Hindus, 6 per cent of Other Christians, 4 per cent ofSikhs and 5 per cent of Muslims in prison.

Sentence length (Table 7.7)

7.16 Among males, Hindus and those with no declared religion were most likely to be serving sentences ofless than 12 months (17 and 18 per cent respectively) followed by Anglicans, Roman Catholics andSikhs (each 12 per cent). Buddhists were least likely to be serving sentences of less than 12 months (2per cent) and most likely to be serving 4 years or more, including life, (83 per cent). This compareswith 50 per cent of Anglicans, 47 per cent of Hindus and 73 per cent of those with Other religion.

132

Table 7.1 Population in prison by religion(1)


1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2001 2002March March March March March March March March March June June

Total 42,048 46,624 44,253 53,509 57,970 64,456 64,212 65,463 65,394 66,403 71,218

All Christian 31,375 32,516 29,027 35,187 37,129 40,609 39,103 38,944 38,686 38,755 41,325Anglican 21,612 22,349 20,868 23,856 25,223 27,299 25,725 25,567 24,720 24,599 25,754Free Church 1,049 1,178 1,119 1,291 1,119 1,337 1,158 1,132 1,200 1,193 1,397Roman Catholic 7,766 8,457 6,540 9,457 10,238 11,172 11,386 11,327 11,435 11,505 12,375Other Christian 948 532 500 583 549 801 833 919 1,332 1,457 1,798

Buddhist 177 168 182 230 226 324 306 285 449 486 672

Hindu 161 157 162 201 198 304 243 246 267 293 271

Jewish 209 198 178 203 288 214 192 160 166 159 179

Muslim 2,106 2,513 2,745 3,327 3,681 4,188 4,314 4,298 4,882 5,046 5,495

Sikh 323 363 353 381 394 491 447 394 414 431 442

Other non-Christian 142 147 57 119 79 95 92 89 112 134 168

Non-recognised 140 157 129 144 135 159 144 152 185 181 222

No religion 7,415 10,405 11,420 13,717 15,840 18,072 19,371 20,888 20,221 20,907 22,435

Not recorded – – – – – – 3 7 11 12 10(1) Figures for 1993-1998 were recorded by the Annual Census of Religion in Prisons carried out by the Chaplaincy of HM Prison Service. Figures for 1999

onwards are recorded by the Prison Service on the Local Inmate Data Base (LIDS).

133

Table 7.2 Population in prison by religion

England and Wales

Numbers PercentagesJun-01 Jun-02 Jun-01 Jun-02

All Prisoners 66,403 71,218 100.0 100.0

Anglican 24,599 25,754 37.0 36.2of whom

Anglican 37 39 0.1 0.1Church in Wales 164 130 0.2 0.2Church of England 24,383 25,575 36.7 35.9Church of Ireland 14 9 – –Episcopalian 2 2 – –

Roman Catholic 11,505 12,375 17.3 17.4

Free Church 1,193 1,397 1.8 2.0of whom

Baptist 179 204 0.3 0.3Celestial Church of God 24 55 – 0.1Church of Scotland 328 296 0.5 0.4Congregational 4 3 – –Methodist 295 299 0.4 0.4Non Conformist 56 111 0.1 0.2Pentecostal 200 312 0.3 0.4Presbyterian 31 35 – –Quaker 31 38 – 0.1Salvation Army 35 30 0.1 –United Reformed Church 9 9 – –Welsh Independent 1 5 – –

Buddhist 486 672 0.7 0.9

Hindu 293 271 0.4 0.4

Jewish 159 179 0.2 0.3

Muslim 5,046 5,495 7.6 7.7

Sikh 431 442 0.6 0.6

Other 1,591 1,966 2.4 2.8of whom

Protestant 212 218 0.3 0.3Mormon Church of JC 122 156 0.2 0.2Jehovah’s Witness 138 160 0.2 0.2Greek/Russian Orthodox 117 121 0.2 0.2Seven Day Adventist 119 167 0.2 0.2Ethiopian Orthodox 14 14 – –Spiritualist 29 25 – –Christadelphian 11 13 – –Christian Scientist 68 47 0.1 0.1Other Christian religion 646 897 1.0 1.3Calvinist 3 3 – –Evangelist 5 2 – –Coptic 3 2 – –Pagan 75 109 0.1 0.2Druid 4 2 – –Other non-Christian religion 23 21 – –Ba Hai 1 2 – –CN 1 – – –Taoist 1 3 – –Parsi – 1 – –Jain – 3 – –Zoroastrian – 1 – –

Non-recognised 181 222 0.3 0.3of whom

Rastafarian 180 219 0.3 0.3National of Islam 1 3 – –Scientology – – – –

No religion 20,907 22,435 31.5 31.5of whom

No religion 20,695 22,254 31.2 31.2Agnostic 69 59 0.1 0.1Atheist 143 123 0.2 0.2

Not recorded 12 10 – –

134

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135

Table 7.4 Population in prison by religion, gender and ethnicity


Total White BlackSouthAsian

Chinese& Other

Un-recorded

All Male Prisoners 66,824 51,884 9,976 2,160 2,744 60

Prisoners with declaredreligion 45,615 33,981 7,226 2,095 2,274 39

of whomAnglican 24,021 20,970 2,814 35 183 20Roman Catholic 11,442 10,008 1,063 26 332 12Free Church 1,196 831 350 3 11 1Other Christian 1,686 697 910 7 71 1Buddhist 656 521 45 1 88 –Hindu 256 10 13 135 98 –Jewish 172 143 20 – 9 –Muslim 5,379 652 1,772 1,580 1,371 4Sikh 430 8 10 306 105 1Other 162 134 21 2 5 –Non-recognised 216 8 208 – – –

No religion 21,201 17,900 2,748 65 465 22

Blank 8 3 1 – 4 –

All Female Prisoners 4,394 3,101 1,048 38 205 3

Prisoners with declaredreligion 3,158 2,149 819 33 154 3

of whomAnglican 1,734 1,321 380 – 32 1Roman Catholic 933 718 152 2 60 2Free Church 201 35 162 1 4 –Other Christian 113 29 72 – 12 –Buddhist 16 12 – – 4 –Hindu 15 1 2 5 7 –Jewish 7 6 – – 1 –Muslim 115 23 45 16 32 –Sikh 12 1 – 9 2 –Other 6 4 1 – 1 –Non-recognised 6 – 6 – – –

No religion 1,234 950 229 5 51 –

Blank 2 2 – – – –

136

Table 7.5 Population in prison by age, religion and sex

England and Wales, June 2002

Total15-17years

18-20years

21-24years

25-29years

30-39years

40-49years

50-59years

60 andover

All Male Prisoners 66,824 2,500 7,816 12,331 12,711 19,014 7,824 3,145 1,483

Prisoners with declaredreligion 45,615 1,083 4,152 7,482 8,559 14,237 6,235 2,630 1,237

of whomAnglican 24,021 537 1,985 3,825 4,474 7,538 3,331 1,561 771Roman Catholic 11,442 349 1,269 1,976 2,102 3,523 1,457 548 218Free Church 1,196 12 60 84 146 382 253 155 105Other Christian 1,686 15 145 243 318 569 273 90 33Buddhist 656 – 9 61 110 275 133 50 18Hindu 256 8 30 35 48 78 32 16 9Jewish 172 – 4 7 10 52 47 40 12Muslim 5,379 153 597 1,125 1,197 1,538 590 119 60Sikh 430 4 34 84 93 130 48 30 7Other 162 2 6 16 19 71 35 11 2Non-recognised 216 3 14 26 42 81 37 11 2

No religion 21,201 1,417 3,664 4,850 4,152 4,773 1,587 514 244

Not recorded 8 – – – – 4 2 1 1

All Female Prisoners 4,394 114 501 829 885 1,359 528 156 22

Prisoners with declaredreligion 3,158 51 289 515 640 1,050 453 139 20

of whomAnglican 1,734 31 171 307 359 541 245 70 11Roman Catholic 933 17 89 150 193 316 123 41 4Free Church 201 – 8 17 40 87 40 10 –Other Christian 113 2 3 16 16 55 18 3 –Buddhist 16 – – – 2 7 5 2 –Hindu 15 – 2 2 5 3 3 – –Jewish 7 – – – – 2 – 5 –Muslim 115 1 14 21 23 35 13 6 3Sikh 12 – 2 1 2 1 2 2 2Other 6 – – – – 1 4 1 –Non-recognised 6 – – 1 1 3 1 – –

No religion 1,234 64 212 314 244 308 74 17 2

Not recorded 2 – – – – 1 1 – –

137

Table 7.6 Prison population by custody type, religion and sex


Total UntriedConvicted

Unsentenced SentencedFine

defaulterNon-

criminal

All Male Prisoners 66,824 7,351 4,732 53,936 31 774

Prisoners with declaredreligion 45,615 4,833 2,892 37,230 20 640

of whomAnglican 24,021 2,415 1,580 19,912 12 102Roman Catholic 11,442 1,241 775 9,320 2 105Free Church 1,196 104 47 1,023 – 22Other Christian 1,686 150 89 1,338 2 107Buddhist 656 20 14 616 – 6Hindu 256 46 11 179 – 21Jewish 172 15 10 146 – 1Muslim 5,379 733 320 4,071 4 252Sikh 430 65 30 320 – 15Other 162 11 2 146 – 2Non-recognised 216 35 14 159 1 7

No religion 21,201 2,517 1,840 16,700 11 132

Not recorded 8 1 – 6 – 1

All Female Prisoners 4,394 526 472 3,336 3 57

Prisoners with declaredreligion 3,158 342 328 2,443 3 41

of whomAnglican 1,734 186 184 1,346 2 16Roman Catholic 933 118 116 688 1 10Free Church 201 10 11 172 – 9Other Christian 113 5 4 101 – 3Buddhist 16 1 1 14 – –Hindu 15 2 – 12 – 1Jewish 7 – – 7 – –Muslim 115 14 12 87 – 3Sikh 12 4 – 8 – –Other 6 2 – 4 – –Non-recognised 6 1 – 5 – –

No religion 1,234 184 143 892 – 16

Not recorded 2 – 1 1 – –

138

Table 7.7 Population in prison under an immediate custodial sentence by sentence length, religion and sex


Total

Up to andincluding

3 mths

Over3 mths up

to andincluding

6 mths

Over 6mths to

less than12 mths 12 mths

Over12 mths up

to andincluding18 mths

Over 18mths up to

andincluding

3 yrs

Over 3 toless than

4 yrs 4 yrs

Over4 years up

to andincluding

5 yrs

Over 5 upto and

including10 yrs

Over 10 yrsless than

Life Life

All Male Prisoners 53,936 1,555 3,562 2,070 1,693 3,507 11,146 4,120 3,502 5,414 9,772 2,614 4,982

Prisoners withdeclared religion 37,227 953 2,103 1,201 1,048 2,164 7,219 2,821 2,420 3,886 7,470 2,151 3,791

of whomAnglican 19,906 539 1,223 716 627 1,221 4,079 1,594 1,281 1,954 3,749 966 1,958Roman Catholic 9,320 261 576 315 261 551 1,868 704 571 957 1,824 560 872Free Church 1,023 8 39 26 18 40 158 70 62 109 256 56 182Other Christian 1,341 29 43 29 20 70 214 101 107 200 358 71 96Buddhist 615 2 8 5 5 11 57 20 29 62 186 68 162Hindu 179 7 21 2 4 12 41 9 11 17 25 11 19Jewish 146 2 2 3 3 8 23 6 13 18 32 14 22Muslim 4,072 92 166 88 96 219 674 284 296 500 925 363 370Sikh 320 9 18 12 12 23 64 13 24 32 48 18 46Other 146 2 5 3 0 8 17 5 8 9 25 9 55Non-recognised 159 3 2 2 2 2 24 15 17 28 41 15 9

No religion 16,703 601 1,459 870 645 1,343 3,926 1,299 1,080 1,528 2,301 463 1,188

Not recorded 6 1 – – – – 1 – 1 – – – 3

All Female Prisoners 3,336 164 260 185 142 269 736 245 196 324 539 111 165

Prisoners withdeclared religion 2,444 105 175 123 92 184 517 179 149 249 441 93 138

of whomAnglican 1,347 58 102 80 64 113 311 103 80 136 193 38 68Roman Catholic 688 37 61 31 21 48 151 45 34 66 122 24 48Free Church 173 2 1 2 2 10 22 11 21 26 69 4 3Other Christian 101 1 4 2 3 3 12 14 8 14 28 6 6Buddhist 14 2 1 – – 1 3 1 1 – 1 1 3Hindu 12 1 2 1 1 2 – – – – 4 – 1Jewish 7 – 1 – – 1 1 1 – 1 1 1 –Muslim 87 5 3 6 1 3 16 4 4 4 18 17 6Sikh 8 – – 1 – 1 – – – 1 2 – 3Other 4 – – – – 2 – – – – 1 – 1Non-recognised 5 – – – – – 1 – – 1 2 1 –

No religion 891 58 85 62 50 85 220 66 48 75 98 18 27

Not recorded 1 1 – – – – – – – – – – –

139

CHAPTER 8

OFFENCES AND PUNISHMENTS

Key points

Offences

● There were 106,200 proven offences against prison discipline in 2002, 2,200 less than in 2001. The rateof adjudications fell between 2001 and 2002, down from 163 to 150 per 100 population.

● Between 1992 and 2002 there was a decrease in the rate of offending for all types of establishments.

● The rate of offending was highest in young offender institutions and in female establishments. Themost common offences were disobeying lawful orders, threatening or abusive words or behaviour,and drugs offences.

● There were 6,500 proven assaults in 2002, decrease of 300 compared with 2001, while offences offighting increased from 10,100 to 11,000. These increases were in line with the increase in the prisonpopulation in 2001 so the overall rate of violent offending remained the same, at 25 offences per 100population.

● Unauthorised transactions declined e.g. drug use and possession fell to 10,800 offences (from 14,300in 2001), while disobedience/disrespect increased from 44,400 to 45,400 in 2002.

● Black male prisoners committed around 20 per cent more proven offences per 100 population thanWhite males. This is a fall compared with 2001 when the adjudication rate for Black males was 30 percent higher than for White males. Among females, White prisoners had 70 per cent more provenoffences per 100 population than Black females. South Asian and ‘Chinese and other’ male prisonershad relatively low adjudication rates.

Punishments

● Forfeiture of privileges was the most common punishment, followed by the stoppage/reduction ofearnings. The use of additional days as a punishment fell in 2002 compared with 2001 and 2000. Thiswas because this punishment ceased from April 2001 for juveniles on Detention and TrainingOrders, and following a European ruling in July 2002, the powers to impose additional days as apunishment was withdrawn from governors and handed to independent adjudicators.

● Patterns of punishment varied between different establishment types. The type of offencecommitted also affected the punishment given.

● On average, male prisoners received a higher number of punishments per offence than femaleprisoners (1.7 and 1.5 punishments per offence, respectively).

140

The disciplinary system

8.1 The adjudication process exists to allow prison governors and independent adjudicators to deal withbreaches of prison discipline, as set out in the Prison Rules 1999, as amended by the Prison(Amendment) Rules 2000, the Prison (Amendment) (No2) and the Prison (Amendment) Rules2000, and the Young Offender Institution Rules 2000 as amended by the Young Offender Institution(Amendment) Rules 2002. Governors and independent adjudicators may also refer possiblecriminal offences to the police.

8.2 The tables in this chapter count only proven offences. They exclude not proven, dismissed, quashed,pending and other not completed charges (20,878 in total) and cases referred for prosecution.

Offences (Tables 8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 8.5 and 8.6)

8.3 There were 150 proven offences against prison discipline for every 100 prisoners in 2002, a 9 per centdecrease from 2001. This represents a total of 106,200 offences down 2,200 on 2001. The rate ofoffending in female establishments fell in 2002 compared with 2001 (from 225 per 100 population to208) There was also a decrease in the rate of offending in male establishments between 2001 and 2002from 160 to 146. Historically, the offending rate has tended to be lower in adult male prisons andhigher in young offender institutions and female establishments. This pattern continued in 2002. Therate of offending increased for open prisons between 2001 and 2002.

8.4 Between 1992 and 2002 the number of offences punished per 100 population decreased for mosttypes of establishments. The largest decrease was for female young offender institutions, whichshowed a decrease of 36 per cent. The corresponding decrease for male young offender institutionswas 7 per cent.

8.5 The overall offence rate was nearly a third (33 per cent) lower than the peak in 1993 and 1994.Disobedience/disrespect was down by 39 per cent compared with the levels in 1993 and 1994.Unauthorised transactions/possession was down by 52 per cent from the 1996 level that followed theintroduction of Mandatory Drug Testing (MDT) in late 1995, allowing the detection of manyoffences that would previously have gone unpunished.

8.6 There were 6,500 proven assaults in 2002, a decrease of 300 compared with 2001, while offences offighting increased from 10,100 to 11,000. These increases were in line with the increase in the prisonpopulation in 2001 so the overall rate of violent offending remained the same, at 25 offences per 100population. The overall rate of violent offences has remained fairly constant over the last ten years.The rates for male young offender institutions stabilised to 109 after an increase in 2001 (increasingfrom 94 per 100 population in 2000 to 107 in 2001). While in female young offender institutions therate decreased from 79 to 73.

141

Figure 8.1

OFFENCES PUNISHED PER 100 AVERAGE POPULATION BY TYPEOF ESTABLISHMENT, 1992-2002

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

Male prisons and remand centres

Female prisons and remand centres

Male young offender establishment

Female young offender establishment

Figure 8.2

TYPES OF OFFENCES COMMITTED IN 1997 AND 2002

13%

1%

38%

33%

9%

5%

1997

7%

11%

22%

43%

1%

17%

2002

Violence

Disrespect etc.

Unauth. Transactions

Escape/abscond

Other offences

Wilful damage

8.7 The types of offence committed varied greatly between types of establishment. Violence and wilfuldamage were most common in remand centres, closed young offender institutions and juvenileyoung offender institutions. Disobedience and disrespect were low in open prisons, moderate inmale local and closed training prisons and high elsewhere. ‘Other’ offences, many of which areassociated with freedom of movement, were most common in open establishments. The mostcommon offences overall were disobeying lawful orders, threatening or abusive words or behaviourand possession of an unauthorised article.

142

8.8 Black male prisoners had a proven adjudication rate nearly 20 per cent higher than White maleprisoners. The difference was particularly marked for violent offences, with 59 per cent more provenoffences per 100 population for Black prisoners, whereas Black males had fewer adjudications forwilful damage. The difference in rates between Black and White males has narrowed since 2001when the proven adjudication rate for Black male prisoners was 30 per cent higher than for Whitemales. South Asian, ‘Chinese and other’ ethnic origin male prisoners had fewer adjudications thaneither group, especially for disobedience/disrespect.

8.9 Among females, White prisoners had 70 per cent more proven offences per 100 population thanBlack females. The female South Asian and ‘Chinese and other’ ethnic origin population is so smallthat adjudication rates are unstable and any differences are not significant.

Punishments (Tables 8.4, 8.5 and 8.6)

8.10 Forfeiture of privileges was the punishment most often awarded with 96 such punishments per 100population, an increase from 80 in 2001. The use of additional days fell by 49 per cent from 2001. Thiswas because, from 1st April 2001, additional days were no longer available as a punishment forjuveniles on Detention and Training Orders, and a European ruling in July 2002 led to thewithdrawal of the governor’s power to impose additional days. This power passed to independentadjudicators, and from 7th October 2002 district judges began conducting adjudications inestablishments, imposing additional days where appropriate. Most of these would have beencompleted within the time frame of these statistics. Stoppage of earnings increased slightly from 69per 100 population to 72, and cellular confinement increased from 20 to 24.

8.11 The type of punishment awarded varied by establishment and according to the offence. Forfeiture ofprivileges was common in young offender institutions and remand centres and low in Open prisons.Escapes and drug-related offences were particularly likely to result in a punishment of added days.

8.12 There was a decrease in the number of offences punished per 100 of population for all types ofestablishments between 1992 and 2002. The largest decrease of 41 per cent was for female youngoffender institutions. There were decreases of 32 per cent for male and 36 per cent for female prisonsand remand centres and 7% for male young offender institutions.

8.13 On average, male prisoners received a higher number of punishments per offence than femaleprisoners (1.7 and 1.5 punishments per offence, respectively). For both male and females, Blackprisoners received a slightly higher number of punishments per offence than White prisoners.

Note

8.14 The adjudication statistics refer to incidents rather than individuals so that a relatively small numberof individuals with repeat disciplinary offences can account for a large number of offences inparticular establishments or, for example, by particular groups (ethnic or otherwise) of prisoners. Ananalysis of the discipline and population data for 1996 showed that a higher proportion of blackmales than white males had at least one disciplinary offence to their name and that the difference wasconfined to British citizens. (In fact, black foreign nationals had lower offending rates than whiteforeign nationals.) The difference was not explained by differences in age or criminal offence, bothof which are connected with behaviour in custody.

143

Table 8.1 Offences(1) punished per 100 population: by sex and type of prison

England and WalesMales and females Number of offences punished per 100 population

Type of establishment 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

All establishments 200 226 225 207 209 177 171 161 163 163 150

MalesAll establishments 196 222 220 204 206 174 168 158 159 160 146

Prison and remand centres 171 201 200 188 190 157 149 135 132 130 117Remand centres 321 370 359 312 277 264 290 267 268 243 209Local prisons 142 186 194 184 195 151 145 131 132 135 118Open prisons 116 140 119 90 93 96 84 86 79 77 81Closed training prisons 183 195 191 189 189 153 139 120 116 118 109

Young offender institutions 393 405 410 348 339 316 314 355 364 377 365Open young offender

institutions 407 396 414 383 403 318 326 345 271 303 310Closed young offender

institutions(2) 387 388 375 308 310 281 277 324 296 280 277Juvenile young offender

institutions 550 566 579 484 422 426 423 445 541 553 523Short sentence young

offender institutions 303 * * * * * * * * * *

FemalesAll establishments 311 340 343 262 268 244 233 213 232 225 208

Prisons and remand centres 284 316 316 245 240 226 218 200 216 198 181Local prisons 317 383 368 299 288 277 245 224 237 217 200Open prisons 218 159 211 128 122 128 158 146 138 145 216Closed training prisons 278 307 307 225 236 213 213 193 216 195 159

Young offender institutions 752 719 785 471 624 489 411 338 354 459 443Open young offender

institutions 396 431 642 275 316 271 279 318 392 321 598Closed young offender

institutions 891 831 832 518 695 533 419 341 351 468 416

(1) Including attempts.

144

Table 8.2 Offences punished per 100 population: by sex, type of prison and offence(1)

England and Wales 2002Males and females Number of offences punished per 100 population

Type of establishmentAll

offences Violence

Escapesor

absconds

Disobedienceor

disrespectWilful

damageUnauthorisedtransactions(2)

Otheroffences

All establishments 150 25 1 64 10 33 17

MalesAll establishments 146 24 1 63 10 33 15

Prisons and remand centres 117 13 1 52 7 32 13Remand centres 209 65 – 79 21 29 16Local prisons 118 15 1 53 8 30 12Open prisons 81 – – 11 – 41 28Closed training prisons 109 7 – 53 5 32 12

Young offender institutions 365 109 2 145 37 42 31Open young offender institutions 310 33 5 83 8 76 106Closed young offender institutions 277 63 2 129 20 41 22Juvenile young offender institutions 523 197 1 181 70 38 36

FemalesAll establishments 208 32 1 84 11 34 47

Prisons and remand centres 181 27 1 72 9 32 42Local prisons 200 41 1 83 15 30 29Open prisons 216 5 1 31 1 42 136Closed training prisons 159 21 – 72 6 30 29

Young offender institutions 443 73 – 190 30 53 96Open young offender institutions 598 7 – 150 2 71 367Closed young offender institutions 416 76 – 191 30 53 66Juvenile young offender institutions 453 92 – 205 41 43 72

(1) Including attempts.(2) Includes possession and/or unauthorised use of controlled drugs.

145

Table 8.3 Offences punished per 100 population for all establishments: by type of offence(1)

England and WalesMales and females Number of offences punished per 100 population

Type of establishment andoffence type 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

All establishments 200 226 225 207 209 177 171 161 163 163 150Violence 23 26 26 24 23 23 23 24 25 25 25Escapes or absconds 4 4 3 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1Disobedience or disrespect 97 105 105 96 83 68 68 62 65 67 64Wilful damage 10 12 12 10 11 9 10 10 11 11 10Unauthorised transactions/

possessions 27 36 40 48 69 59 53 48 46 42 33Other offences 39 44 39 26 21 16 15 16 16 17 17

Male prisons and remandcentres 171 201 200 188 190 157 149 135 132 130 117Violence 18 21 20 18 16 16 16 15 15 14 13Escapes or absconds 3 3 3 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1Disobedience or disrespect 82 93 94 88 75 58 57 50 51 54 52Wilful damage 8 10 10 9 9 8 8 8 7 7 7Unauthorised transactions/


Male young offenderestablishments 393 405 410 348 343 316 314 355 364 377 365Violence 62 71 73 68 75 78 78 90 94 107 109Escapes or absconds 10 10 7 4 4 3 2 2 2 2 2Disobedience or disrespect 197 190 190 154 136 127 134 152 154 148 145Wilful damage 23 23 29 25 25 23 25 30 36 44 37Unauthorised transactions/


Female prisons and remandcentres 284 316 316 245 240 226 218 200 216 198 181Violence 32 39 40 35 30 26 23 24 28 27 27Escapes or absconds 12 5 10 5 5 5 5 3 2 2 1Disobedience or disrespect 120 135 133 115 104 101 94 75 86 81 72Wilful damage 17 21 14 11 12 8 8 7 9 11 9Unauthorised transactions/


Female young offenderestablishments 752 719 785 471 624 489 411 338 354 459 443Violence 78 54 59 65 73 45 47 53 70 79 73Escapes or absconds 18 1 16 7 11 5 4 3 1 1 –Disobedience or disrespect 387 363 333 227 297 240 208 161 157 215 190Wilful damage 26 25 18 14 21 14 11 13 17 37 30Unauthorised transactions/


(1) Including attempts.

146

Table 8.4 Punishments per 100 population: by sex, type of prison and type of punishment

England and Wales 2002Males and females Number of punishments per 100 population

Type of establishment

Allpunish-ments

Cellularconfine-ment(1)

Removalfrom

activities

Forfeitureof

privileges

Stoppageor

reductionof earnings Caution

Removalfrom wing

orliving unit Extra work

Exclusionfrom

associatedwork

Additionaldays

All establishments 256 24 1 96 72 9 4 1 3 46

MalesAll establishments 252 24 1 95 70 9 5 1 3 46

Prisons and remand centres 187 24 – 61 49 8 – – 3 43Remand centres 391 44 1 155 99 10 5 2 2 73Local prisons 186 26 – 64 41 8 – – 3 44Open prisons 110 3 – 23 47 8 – – – 30Closed training prisons 175 22 – 53 50 7 – – 3 40

Young offender institutions 735 24 7 347 227 18 36 6 3 66Open young offender institutions 435 6 1 59 118 47 5 76 – 124Closed young offender institutions 583 38 6 239 174 12 17 1 4 92Juvenile young offender

institutions 1,035 2 11 568 334 26 73 6 2 15

FemalesAll establishments 317 28 – 111 102 15 1 1 2 58

All Prisons 270 26 – 87 87 14 – – 2 56Local prisons 321 23 – 129 105 17 – – 1 46Open prisons 286 21 – 36 105 11 – – 3 111Closed training prisons 227 28 – 66 68 13 – – 2 50

Young offender institutions 735 48 1 326 238 20 12 8 4 78Open young offender institutions 926 105 2 145 314 24 2 – – 333Closed young offender institutions 685 54 – 309 214 20 9 6 5 67

(1) Includes confinement to room.

147

Table 8.5 Offences punished and punishments given in prisonEngland and Wales 2002Males and females

Type of punishment(3)

PrisonRule 51 or YOI Rule 50 Offence(1)(2)

Paragraph

Confine-ment

to cell orroom

Forfeitureof

privileges

Stoppageor

reductionof earnings Caution Other(4)

Addit-ional days

All punish-ments(5)

Alloffences(5)

Averagenumber of

punish-ments per

offence

All offences 16,933 68,054 50,864 6,566 6,266 32,793 181,476 106,150 1.7Violence 3,060 14,911 8,793 645 1,631 5,263 34,303 17,499 2.0

1 Assault 1,765 5,062 2,926 153 740 2,397 13,043 6,482 2.0on staff 858 1,873 1,102 58 256 1,111 5,258 2,692 2.0on an inmate 712 2,579 1,515 68 373 1,031 6,278 3,040 2.1on any other person 195 610 309 27 111 255 1,507 750 2.0

2 Detains any person 12 25 13 – 3 21 74 32 2.34 Fights with any person 1,283 9,824 5,854 492 888 2,845 21,186 10,985 1.9

Escape/abscond 54 149 122 8 20 426 779 565 1.47 Escapes from prison or legal

custody 45 132 108 8 19 391 703 519 1.425 Attempted escape 9 17 14 – 1 35 76 46 1.7Disobedience/disrespect 6,662 28,886 20,808 3,486 2,596 11,692 76,130 45,410 1.719 Is disrespectful 61 344 265 47 22 148 887 540 1.620 Threats/abusive words or

behaviour 2,649 10,756 7,265 688 1,097 3,819 26,274 14,699 1.821 Fails/refuses to work 116 1,115 1,198 247 92 418 3,186 2,019 1.622 Disobeys any lawful order 5,464 14,072 9,906 2,059 1,201 6,183 38,885 23,624 1.6

refusal to provide drug test sample 39 175 123 9 5 159 510 313 1.6falsifying a drug test sample 1 14 8 1 – 6 30 18 1.7any other lawful disorder 5,424 13,883 9,775 2,049 1,196 6,018 38,345 23,293 1.6

23 Disobeys any rule or regulation 372 2,596 2,171 445 184 1,124 6,892 4,525 1.5Wilful damage 1,274 5,121 4,706 290 696 1,558 13,645 7,226 1.916 Sets fire to prison or property 105 481 282 20 72 175 1,135 559 2.017 Destroys/damages prison or

property 1,169 4,640 4,424 270 624 1,383 12,510 6,667 1.9Unauthorised transactions 2,497 12,508 10,363 1,002 702 10,458 37,530 23,407 1.6

Drugs offences: 1,237 5,313 3,896 82 288 6,507 17,323 10,812 1.69 unauthorised use of a

controlled drug 796 4,159 3,161 62 212 5,232 13,622 8,621 1.69 possession of a controlled drug 168 623 404 12 46 627 1,880 1,134 1.79 sells/delivers drugs to any person 1 16 11 1 1 13 43 24 1.8

24 receives drugs during a visit 272 515 320 7 29 635 1,778 1,033 1.712 Has in his possession: 1,173 6,826 6,140 846 391 3,710 19,086 11,856 1.6

(a) an unauthorised article 1,121 6,418 5,798 800 352 3,545 18,034 11,249 1.6(b) greater quantity than authorised 52 408 342 46 39 165 1,052 607 1.7

13 Sells/delivers unauthorisedarticle 40 136 104 19 8 90 397 247 1.6

14 Sells/delivers articles allowedonly for own use 19 164 152 53 15 87 490 337 1.5

10/11 Knowingly consumesalcohol 28 69 71 2 – 64 234 155 1.5

Other offences 1,386 6,479 6,072 1,135 621 3,396 19,089 12,043 1.63 Denies access to any part of

the prison to an officer 173 352 178 7 56 163 929 440 2.15 Endangers the health or

personal safety of others 501 2,014 1,519 161 209 814 5,218 2,896 1.86 Intentionally obstructs an

officer in executing his duty 150 627 452 67 50 256 1,602 921 1.78 Fails to comply with any

temporary release condition 56 251 427 158 36 409 1,337 1,038 1.315 Takes any article belonging to

another person or to a prison 62 481 469 87 40 187 1,326 829 1.618 Absent from where required

to be or present atunauthorised place 444 2,754 3,027 655 230 1,567 8,677 5,919 1.5

(1) Includes offences committed at one establishment and punished at another.(2) Includes attempting, inciting and assisting under Rule 51(25) and 50(25), except for attempted escapes, which are shown separately.(3) Including suspended and prospective punishments.(4) Includes exclusion from associated work (prisons and remand centres only), and removal from activities, removal from wing or living

area, and extra work or fatigues (all young offender institutions only).(5) The number of offences punished and punishments given are not equal because in many cases 2 or more punishments are given for a

single offence.

148

Table 8.6 Offences and punishments per 100 population(1) by ethnicity and offence

England and Wales 2002Males Number of punishments per 100 population

Offence(2)

Ethnicity


Confine-ment toroom

Removalfrom

activities

Forfeitureof

privileges

Stoppageor

reductionof

earnings CautionRemovalfrom wing

Work:extra or

excludedfrom

Add-itionaldays

Allpunish-ments(4)

Alloffences(4)

Averagenumber of

punish-ments per

offence

Male establishmentsTotal(5)

All offences 24 1 95 70 9 5 4 45 251 146 1.7Violence 4 – 21 12 1 2 1 7 48 24 2.0Escapes or absconds – – – – – – – 1 1 1 1.4Disobedience or disrespect 12 – 40 28 5 2 2 16 106 63 1.7Wilful damage 2 – 7 7 – 1 – 2 19 10 1.9Unauthorised transactions 4 – 18 15 1 – 1 15 53 33 1.6Other offences 2 – 8 8 1 – – 4 24 15 1.6

WhiteAll offences 23 1 91 68 9 4 3 46 245 143 1.7Violence 3 – 19 11 1 2 – 6 43 22 2.0Escapes or absconds – – – – – – – 1 1 1 1.4Disobedience or disrespect 12 – 39 28 5 2 2 17 104 62 1.7Wilful damage 2 – 8 7 – 1 – 2 20 11 1.9Unauthorised transactions 4 – 17 14 1 – 1 15 53 33 1.6Other offences 2 – 8 7 1 – – 4 24 15 1.6

BlackAll offences 28 2 121 85 10 6 5 47 303 169 1.8Violence 7 1 31 18 1 2 1 11 72 35 2.0Escapes or absconds – – – – – – – – – – 1.3Disobedience or disrespect 14 1 52 36 5 2 2 17 129 74 1.8Wilful damage 2 – 7 6 – – – 2 17 9 1.9Unauthorised transactions 4 – 21 17 1 1 1 13 57 34 1.7Other offences 2 – 10 9 2 – 1 4 28 17 1.6

South AsianAll offences 18 1 84 61 7 4 3 35 213 117 1.8Violence 5 – 23 14 1 2 1 7 53 24 2.2Escapes or absconds – – – – – – – – – – 1.0Disobedience or disrespect 8 – 33 21 3 2 1 11 79 44 1.8Wilful damage 1 – 5 4 – – – 1 12 6 1.9Unauthorised transactions 3 – 16 13 2 – 1 12 46 28 1.6Other offences 1 – 8 8 1 – – 4 24 15 1.6

Chinese & other(6)

All offences 17 1 59 41 6 3 3 24 154 88 1.7Violence 5 – 20 12 1 1 1 7 48 25 1.9Escapes or absconds – – – – – – – – 1 – 1.7Disobedience or disrespect 10 – 34 24 4 2 2 14 89 54 1.7Wilful damage 2 – 5 5 – – 1 3 17 9 1.8Unauthorised transactions – – – – – – – – – – –Other offences – – – – – – – – – – –

(1) Based on population of 30th June 2002.(2) Includes offences committed at one establishment and punished at another.(3) Includes suspended and prospective punishments.(4) The number of offences punished and punishments given do not agree because in many cases 2 or more punishments are given for a single offence.(5) Includes a small number of cases with no ethnic classification recorded.(6) Includes Other Asian.

149

Table 8.6 Offences and punishments per 100 population(1) by ethnicity and offence

England and Wales 2002Females Number of punishments per 100 population

Offence(2)

Ethnicity


Confine-ment toroom

Removalfrom

activities

Forfeitureof

privileges

Stoppageor

reductionof

earnings CautionRemovalfrom wing

Work:extra or

excludedfrom

Add-itionaldays

Allpunish-ments(4)

Alloffences(4)

Averagenumber of

punish-ments per

offence

Female establishmentsTotal(5)

All offences 27 – 108 100 14 1 3 57 310 203 1.5Violence 7 – 21 13 1 – – 11 54 31 1.7Escapes or absconds – – – – – – – – 1 1 1.4Disobedience or disrespect 10 – 46 41 7 – 1 17 122 82 1.5Wilful damage 2 – 6 6 1 – – 2 17 11 1.6Unauthorised transactions 3 – 16 15 3 – – 12 50 33 1.5Other offences 5 – 19 24 4 – 1 15 67 46 1.5

WhiteAll offences 30 – 120 111 16 1 3 67 349 231 1.5Violence 7 – 22 14 1 – – 12 56 32 1.7Escapes or absconds – – – – – – – – 1 1 1.4Disobedience or disrespect 11 – 51 46 8 1 1 19 136 93 1.5Wilful damage 2 – 7 7 1 – – 2 18 12 1.6Unauthorised transactions 4 – 19 17 3 – – 16 58 39 1.5Other offences 6 – 22 27 5 – 1 18 79 55 1.4

BlackAll offences 22 – 79 72 10 1 2 33 219 136 1.6Violence 7 – 18 12 1 1 – 10 50 28 1.8Escapes or absconds – – – – – – – – – – 1.0Disobedience or disrespect 9 – 35 29 5 – 1 11 90 57 1.6Wilful damage 2 – 4 6 – – – 2 15 9 1.7Unauthorised transactions 2 – 9 11 2 – – 4 28 18 1.5Other offences 3 – 12 14 2 – – 7 36 24 1.5

South AsianAll offences 5 – 37 50 8 – – 39 139 103 1.4Violence 5 – 16 11 – – – 3 34 24 1.4Escapes or absconds – – – – – – – – – – –Disobedience or disrespect – – 13 18 8 – – 8 47 39 1.2Wilful damage – – – – – – – – – – –Unauthorised transactions – – 5 5 – – – 11 21 13 1.6Other offences – – 3 16 – – – 18 37 26 1.4

Chinese & other(6)

All offences 18 – 99 76 10 2 – 24 229 139 1.6Violence 7 – 18 12 – – – 5 45 25 1.8Escapes or absconds – – – – – – – – 2 1 2.0Disobedience or disrespect 5 – 38 25 4 – – 8 80 51 1.6Wilful damage – – 3 3 – – – 1 7 4 1.7Unauthorised transactions 3 – 15 12 5 – – 4 40 26 1.5Other offences 2 – 24 23 – – – 4 54 32 1.7

(1) Based on population of 30th June 2002.(2) Includes offences committed at one establishment and punished at another.(3) Includes suspended and prospective punishments.(4) The number of offences punished and punishments given do not agree because in many cases 2 or more punishments are given for a single offence.(5) Includes a small number of cases with no ethnic classification recorded.(6) Includes Other Asian.

150

CHAPTER 9

RECONVICTIONS OF PRISONERS DISCHARGED FROM PRISON IN 1999

Key points

● Reconviction rates are the proportion of prisoners discharged from prison that are convicted on afurther occasion within a given time period (usually 2 years). They only give a minimum indication ofthe proportion of offenders who re-offend because not all offenders who re-offend will be caught orprosecuted.

● The proportion of prisoners reconvicted following discharge from custody is mainly associated withthe characteristics of those offenders, rather than the impact of custody. The main predictors ofreconviction are: the number and rate of previous convictions, age at sentence, whether they aremale or female, and the type of offence for which they were imprisoned.

● Most of the reconviction rates given here are ‘unadjusted’ rates. This means they have not beenadjusted to exclude convictions for offences committed prior to discharge, or to correct for changesover time in the characteristics of offenders being given prison sentences.

● Fifty-nine per cent of all prisoners discharged in 1999 were reconvicted for a standard list offencewithin 2 years of their discharge. The rates for the main groups were:

● 55 per cent for adult males

● 74 per cent for young male offenders

● 55 per cent for all females.

● Unadjusted reconviction rates have fluctuated since 1987 when they were at 57 per cent for alldischarged prisoners. They fell to a low of 51 per cent in 1992, and have subsequently risen to 59 percent in 1998 and 1999. These changes will mainly reflect variations in the characteristics of offendersand offences sentenced to custody.

● Separate analysis — using adjusted rates that control for changes in the characteristics of offendersdischarged from custody — shows that reconviction rates for prisoners discharged from custody inthe first quarter of 1999 were 3.3 per cent lower than predicted from a model based on first quarter1997 reconviction rates.

● As males comprise the vast majority of the prison population, their unadjusted rates have shown asimilar pattern to all discharged prisoners. Their 2-year reconviction rates were 59 per cent in both1998 and 1999.

● Unadjusted reconviction rates for females rose by 6 percentage points between 1993 and 1994 (from40 per cent to 46 per cent), and have risen by a further 9 percentage points to 55 per cent between1994 and 1999.

● Reconviction rates in 1999 showed no change from the previous year for both young and adult males.

● Among prisoners discharged in 1999 who were reconvicted within 2 years, on first reconviction35 per cent were recommitted to custody, 25 per cent were fined, and 23 per cent were given acommunity penalty.

● Fifty per cent of young (under 21) male offenders discharged from prison in 1999 received a newcustodial sentence at some point within 2 years, compared with just 36 per cent for adult males (21 orover), 31 per cent for adult females, and 38 per cent for all offenders. These rates generally increasedbetween 1992 and 1998, reflecting changes in sentencing practice.

151

● Reconviction rates varied with the type of original offence: from a 2 year rate for all dischargedprisoners in 1999 of 76 per cent for burglary and 73 per cent for theft and handling to 36 per cent forfraud and forgery and 16 per cent for sexual offences.

● For most categories of offence for which the prisoner was originally convicted, a theft and handlingoffence was the most common at first reconviction. However, for those originally convicted of adrugs offence a first reconviction for a further drugs offence was more common.

● Thirty-six per cent of adult male offenders discharged in 1999 were recommitted to custody within 2years of discharge with 20 per cent receiving the custodial sentence on their first reconviction. Theseshow an increase from 19 per cent and 10 per cent since 1992, reflecting the general increase incustodial sentencing.

● Reconviction and recommittal to custody rates varied by number of previous convictions. Only17 per cent of discharged prisoners with no previous convictions were reconvicted within 2 years andjust 6 per cent were recommitted to custody. Comparable figures for those with 1 or 2 previousconvictions were 40 and 19 per cent respectively.

152

Introduction

9.1 The probability that a discharged prisoner will be reconvicted is more strongly associated withfactors other than the experience of custody, such as their age and previous criminal history. Thestatic factors associated with reconviction are identified in “Explaining reconviction rates: a criticalanalysis” Home Office Research Study 136. Some of the dynamic factors associated withreconviction rates are outlined in “Explaining reconviction following a community sentence: the roleof social factors” Home Office Research Study 192. When comparing the impact of custody onreconviction rates over time it is therefore necessary to control for changes in the characteristics ofoffenders being given custodial sentences.

9.2 Reconviction rates can also be used to evaluate the effectiveness of programmes that prisonerscomplete to improve their reading, literacy, and to help them move away from a criminal lifestyle.Monitoring the effectiveness of these programmes, in conjunction with looking at measures ofreoffending and reconviction all help to present a more complete picture of the effectiveness ofsentences imposed by the courts.

9.3 All figures and rates given here are raw and relate to any further conviction for a standard list offenceafter discharge from custody, and are used as one of a number of measures of Prison Serviceperformance in England and Wales. The rates have not been adjusted to exclude convictions foroffences committed prior to discharge (so called ‘pseudo-reconvictions’), or to correct any changesover time in the characteristics of offenders being given prison sentences. For these reasons,unadjusted rates for custodial discharges should not be directly compared with those for otherdisposals. In addition, the follow up period for custodial sentences begins at the end of the sentencei.e. date of discharge, whilst for community penalties the start of the sentence i.e. date ofcommencement of the order is used.

9.4 All analysis is based on the principal offence for which the offender was convicted; this is theconviction that incurs the severest sentence at an individual court appearance. The sample is basedon all persons discharged from Prison Service establishments, aged 14 years and over whensentenced. This therefore excludes juveniles serving secure training orders. The reconviction ratesshown here exclude those for prisoners who were in custody for fine default and non-criminalprisoners. Further details of the offences covered and of the sampling methods are given in thesection on reconviction data in the notes at the end of this publication.

Reconviction rates in 1999

9.5 Overall, 59 per cent of all prisoners discharged in 1999 were reconvicted for a standard list offencewithin 2 years of their discharge. The rate for males was also 59 per cent reflecting the fact theycomprise 93 per cent of all discharged prisoners. For females it was 55 per cent.

9.6 For young male (under 21) offenders the reconviction rate was 74 per cent in 1999 and for adultmales (21 and over) 55 per cent. Comparable rates for females were lower (62 and 53 per centrespectively). The higher reconviction rate for males relative to females is partly due to differences infactors such as age distribution within the age categories, type of offence and the number of previousconvictions (e.g. 17 per cent of females discharged in 1999 were young offenders compared to 21 percent of males).

Changes in reconviction rates since 1987

9.7 Unadjusted reconviction rates have fluctuated since 1987 when they were at 57 per cent for alldischarged prisoners. They fell to a low of 51 per cent in 1992 and then have subsequently increased,with the exception of 1996 (showing a 1 per cent fall) and peaked at 59 per cent in 1998. There was nochange in the 2-year ‘unadjusted’ reconviction rate for all offenders between 1998 and 1999: itremained at 59 per cent.

9.8 Changes in unadjusted reconviction rates over time should be viewed with caution because they willmainly reflect factors other than the impact of the custodial sentence. These include changes in thecharacteristics of offenders being given custodial sentences, the range of offences counted asreconvictions and changes in the extent and speed with which offending is detected, and results in aconviction.

153

9.9 For instance, an analysis reported in Prison Statistics, England and Wales, 1993 (Cm. 2893) attributedmuch of the fall in reconviction rates from 1987 to the decline in the proportion of those dischargedfrom prison who were young offenders. For example 37.1 per cent of males discharged in 1987 wereyoung offenders, declining to 25.7 per cent in 1993 and to 21.3 per cent in 1999.

9.10 The range of offences counted as reconvictions was affected by the addition of several new offencesbeing added to the “standard list” on 1st July 1995 and 1st January 1996. These were common assaultand driving whilst disqualified or under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The inclusion of theseoffences and changes in the characteristics of offenders being given custodial sentences accounts formost of the increase in rates since the mid 1990’s. The impact of the new standard list has becomemore pronounced in the late 1990’s as more convictions for these offences filter into the criminaljustice system.

9.11 To track reconviction rates independently of these other factors, it is necessary to use statisticalmodels to predict what the reconviction rate would be if factors such as offender characteristics anddetection rates had not changed over time. This is the approach used to monitor the Public ServiceAgreement on reconviction rates. The most recent findings are published in Home Office OnlineReport ‘Progress made against Home Office Public Service Agreement Target 10’. This showed thatreconviction rates for prisoners discharged from custody in the first quarter of 1999 were 3.3 per centlower than predicted from a model based on 1997 rates.

Reconviction rates by year of discharge and sex (Table 9.1)

9.12 The reconviction rate for males has risen by 8 percentage points since its lowest level in 1992. Thereconviction rate for females has increased by 17 percentage points since 1992, and by 3 percentagepoints since 1998. The reconviction rate for females however is always subject to much morevariability due to the small number of females discharged compared to males (7 per cent to 93 percent ). Most of the increase in the reconviction rate for females is due to changes in the underlyingcharacteristics of the females discharged. For example burglars and thieves comprised 41 per cent ofall discharged female prisoners in 1994, increasing to 47 per cent in 1999. These are offences that tendto be associated to high levels of re-offending. In addition reconviction rates for female thieves haveincreased dramatically in recent years, rising from 56 per cent in 1994 compared to 71 per cent in1999. This may be explained by an increasing proportion of shop thieves being sentenced to custodyin this period. For example in 1995, 49 per cent of the female theft and handling group were shopthieves, which subsequently increased to 64 per cent by 1999. Four in five female shop thieves werereconvicted within 2 years in 1999, the highest rate of any offence group. The reconviction rate forfemales sentenced to drugs offences (another of the main offence groups for women prisoners) hasalso continued to increase from the mid 1990’s.

154

Figure 9.1

PRISONERS RECONVICTED WITHIN TWO YEARS

Year of discharge

Percentage100

80

60

40

20

01987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999

Male young prisoners

All prisoners

Adult males

Females

Reconviction rates by time since discharge (Tables 9.2 and 9.1)

9.13 Among prisoners discharged in 1999 the proportion reconvicted within 3 months was 14 per cent, 45per cent were reconvicted within 1 year and 59 per cent within 2 years. Information on a longerfollow-up period is available for those discharged in 1987 and 1988. For those discharged in 1988,where the 2-year reconviction rate was 56 per cent, the proportion reconvicted within 4 years was 64per cent. For those discharged in 1987, where the 2-year reconviction rate was 57 per cent, theproportions reconvicted within 5 and 7 years were 70 and 73 per cent respectively. This rapidlevelling-off in the proportion reconvicted as the follow-up period lengthened indicates that thelonger these ex-prisoners remained without a reconviction the lower the likelihood became of areconviction in each subsequent period. Care should also be taken when trying to interpretreconviction rates for follow up periods of 1 year or less as the impact of pseudo reconvictionsbecomes more important. This is because there is a greater chance that subsequent convictions afterthe date of discharge will relate to offences committed before the current custodial sentence, whencompared to reconviction rates for longer follow up periods.

155

Figure 9.2

PRISONERS RECONVICTED BY TIME TORECONVICTION BASED ON 1999 DISCHARGES

100

80

60

40

20

0

Time to reconviction (quarters)

Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5 Q6 Q7 Q8

Male young offenders

All prisoners

Adult males

Females

Number of reconvictions (Table 9.2)

9.14 After 2 years, 40 per cent of those discharged in 1999 had 2 or more reconvictions (only 1reconviction per court appearance is counted in these calculations), 26 per cent had 3 or more and17 per cent had 4 or more. After 2 years an average of 1.7 reconvictions were recorded perex-prisoner in the 1999 discharge sample. The longer term follow-up reveals that although theproportion reconvicted did not increase to any great extent beyond the 4 year point, the number ofconvictions per ex-prisoner continued to rise. The rise in the average was therefore mainlyattributable to a persistent group.

Sentence length (Tables 9.3 and 9.4)

9.15 Reconviction rates were generally lower for offenders given longer sentences. For example 62 percent of all male prisoners serving sentences of up to 12 months were reconvicted within 2 years ofdischarge. This compares with 2 year rates of 55 per cent and 31 per cent for those serving sentencesof more than 12 months up to 4 years and more than 4 years up to 10 years respectively. There was asimilar pattern for both sexes and for the different age bands for the male discharged population.

9.16 In part this is known to reflect differences in the characteristics of prisoners serving sentences ofdifferent lengths (from information available on the Offenders Index). For instance, the types ofoffence committed by those serving longer sentences are often those with low reoffending rates.Reconviction rates are also likely to be affected by factors that influenced sentencing, but which arenot available from the Offenders Index, and by the greater proportion of the follow-up period thanthose with longer sentences spent on post-release supervision (as well as differences in the intensityof supervision). In addition, longer sentenced prisoners are more likely to have been onrehabilitative or treatment programmes whilst they were held in custody.

156

Sentence on first reconviction (Tables 9.3 and 9.4)

9.17 On first reconviction within 2 years 35 per cent of discharged prisoners were sentenced to immediatecustody, 25 per cent were fined, 13 per cent got a community rehabilitation order, 5 per cent receiveda community punishment order and 4 per cent were given a community punishment & rehabilitationorder(1). The patterns of sentencing on first reconviction for males and females differed. For example,of the males who were discharged in 1999 and reconvicted within 2 years, 35 per cent were sentencedto immediate custody on first reconviction and 22 per cent to the main community penalties(community rehabilitation, community punishment and community punishment & rehabilitationorders) as compared to 28 and 29 per cent respectively for females. There were also differencesamong males. Adult males were more likely to be sentenced to immediate custody on firstreconviction than young male offenders (38 per cent and 24 per cent respectively). The proportion ofadult males fined was 25 per cent, compared to 26 per cent for young males.

9.18 As in previous years, the types of sentence given to adult males discharged in 1999 on a firstreconviction were rather different to those for all adult male offenders sentenced for indictableoffences around the same time. Immediate custody was used proportionately more often forreconvicted ex-prisoners; 38 per cent were sentenced to immediate custody compared with just30 per cent for adult males sentenced for indictable offences in 2000 (as shown in “Criminal StatisticsEngland & Wales 2000” Table 7.10).

Figure 9.3

PERCENTAGE SENTENCED TO DIFFERENT TYPES OF DISPOSAL ATFIRST RECONVICTION WITHIN TWO YEARS DISCHARGE IN 1999

Males

18%

35%

12%

4%

25%

6%

Immediate custodyProbationCombination orderFineCommunity service orderOther

22%

3%

21%

3%

23%

28%

Females

Reconviction rates and percentage recommitted to prison (Tables 9.5, 9.6 and 9.7)

9.19 Among adult male offenders discharged in 1999, 36 per cent were recommitted to custody within 2years of discharge with over half of these receiving the custodial sentence on their first reconviction(20 per cent). This represents a small change on the 1998 figures of 35 and 22 per cent respectivelyand shows a substantial increase on the 1992 figures (19 and 10 per cent respectively). These changeswill reflect the general increase in the extent of custodial sentencing.

(1) In 2001 the community penalties of probation, community service and combination orders were re-named communityrehabilitation, community punishment and community punishment & rehabilitation order respectively.

157

9.20 Young male offenders were more likely to be recommitted to prison within 2 years (50 per cent ofthose discharged from custody in 1999) and more likely to be sentenced to custody on firstreconviction (22 per cent of all those young males discharged). These figures represent a substantialincrease on figures recorded for 1992 when the rates were 38 and 18 per cent respectively. Therecommittal to custody rate peaked in 1997 at 51 per cent after rising steadily since 1990 (27 per centwere sentenced to custody on first reconviction), but fell to 49 per cent in 1998.

9.21 Reconviction rates fell as the age of the offender increased. For males, the rate of reconviction within2 years has continually decreased from a high of 89 per cent in 1993 to 82 per cent for those aged 14-16in 1999. The rate has remained static for 18 to 20 year olds at between 71 per cent and 72 per centfrom 1993 to 1999. Reconviction among males aged 21-24 increased by 3 per cent from 64 per cent to67 per cent in 1999 compared to the previous year, whilst rates for males aged 25-34 remained thesame.

9.22 The recommittal rate for adult females discharged in 1999 was 31 per cent. This is the highest thefigure has been since 1987, and shows rates increasing annually since 1989.

9.23 The increases in the recommittal rate for adult males in 1999 discharges reflect a greater use ofcustodial sentencing generally in the period of follow-up. For all offenders sentenced for indictableoffences in 2000, a quarter were sentenced to immediate custody (as shown in ‘Criminal StatisticsEngland and Wales 2000’ Table 7.13) compared to 15 per cent in 1993 and 17 per cent in 1994. Thetrend of the increasing use of custody was further reflected in the rise in the average prisonpopulation of sentenced prisoners from under 36,000 in 1994 to over 64,600 in 2000.

Figure 9.4

PRISONERS RECOMMITTED TO PRISON WITHINTWO YEARS BY YEAR OF DISCHARGE

Percentage

60

50

40

30

20

10

0

1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999

Year of discharge

Male young offenders

All prisoners

Adult males

Females

Types of offenceOffences for which originally convicted (Table 9.8)

9.24 Male prisoners discharged in 1999 for sentences of burglary or for theft and handling were the mostlikely to be reconvicted within 2 years (76 and 73 per cent respectively). Rates of reconviction within2 years were generally lowest for those who had served sentences for sexual offences, fraud andforgery or drug offences (16, 36 and 42 per cent, respectively).

158

9.25 For all offence groups the reconviction rate for young male offenders was higher than for adultmales. In particular this was the case for theft and handling with rates of 85 per cent for young maleoffenders compared to 71 per cent for adult males, while for offences of violence they were 60 and 45per cent respectively. The higher overall reconviction rate for young male offenders (74 per cent) incomparison with adult males (55 per cent), was partly a reflection of these differences and was alsodue to the fact that a larger proportion of discharged young offenders were originally convicted forburglary (21 per cent of discharged young male offenders as opposed to 12 per cent of adult males),for which reconviction rates were high for both age groups (82 and 74 per cent respectively).

Figure 9.5

PERCENTAGE OF PRISONERS RECONVICTED WITHINTWO YEARS OF DISCHARGE IN 1999 BY ORIGINAL OFFENCE

Burglary

Theft and handling

Robbery


Drugs offence

Fraud and forgery

Sexual offences

Other offences

All offences

Offe

nce

cate

gory

0 20 40 60 80 100

Percentage reconvicted

Offence on first reconviction (Table 9.8)

9.26 Generally, prisoners discharged in 1999 and reconvicted within 2 years were not reconvicted for thesame offence. However, some types of re-offenders are much more likely to be reconvicted for thesame type of offence. For example, of all those originally sentenced for shop theft, motoring anddrugs offences, 57, 38 and 28 per cent respectively of those reconvicted were for the same offencetype at first reconviction. Comparable figures for all males discharged in 1999, were 55, 38 and 29 percent for the same offences respectively. Percentages for adult males again were similar, though foryoung males they were lower with 39, 20, 20 and 17 per cent of shop thieves, burglars, drugs andmotoring offenders being reconvicted for the same offence within 2 years. For all females, the figureswere 67, 32, 25 and 24 per cent for shop theft, motoring, other theft and drugs offences. Fourteen percent of females originally convicted of fraud and forgery were first reconvicted for the same offence.This compared with 16 per cent for males.

9.27 Results differed across the more serious offence groups. Of males discharged after custodialsentences for sexual offences 16 per cent were reconvicted within 2 years for any standard listoffence, falling from 18 per cent in the previous year. Comparable rates for violence against theperson and robbery were 48 per cent and 53 per cent . However only 15 per cent of all reconvicted sexoffenders were reconvicted for a further sexual offence on first reconviction, which represents just 2per cent of all those sex offenders discharged from custody in 1999. Discharged prisoners notoriginally convicted of sexual offences were very unlikely to be reconvicted for a sexual offence. Ofthose offenders originally sentenced for violence against the person and robbery and reconvicted, afifth and a tenth respectively were reconvicted for the same offence. These figures demonstrate thatmost offenders leaving prison do not specialise, with the exception that few move into sex offendingafter sentence if they have no sex offending record.

159

Reconviction by ethnic group (Table 9.9)

9.28 Overall reconviction rates differed by ethnic group. The sample size permitted analysis of 4 broadethnic group categories (White, Black, South Asian and Other). For those discharged from custodyin 1999, the proportion of White prisoners reconvicted within 2 years of release was 60 per cent, withno change from the previous year. For the Black, South Asian and the Other groups the proportionswere 53, 42 and 42 per cent respectively. Restricting the analysis to those offenders who were Britishnationals, the percentages were 61, 57, 46 and 52 respectively. The difference is likely to reflect thelow reconviction rates of foreign nationals, since many leave the country on release. It is, however,important to note that nationality is an imprecise surrogate measure for country of usual residence.

9.29 For British nationals discharged in 1999, those in the Black group were less likely than those in theWhite group to be reconvicted following a custodial sentence for acquisitive crimes such as burglary,robbery, and theft and handling generally; however the reconviction rate was higher for sexualoffences, robbery, criminal damage and other indictable offences (although the sample sizes forthese offences are small compared to the White group). The numbers in the South Asian and Othergroups were relatively small (3 per cent and 3 per cent respectively of all those discharged) and somust be interpreted with caution, but for all offence groups other than sexual offences, theirreconviction rates were lower than for White prisoners. Eighty seven per cent of the dischargedprison population was White and 8 per cent were Black.

Reconviction and recommittal rates by number of previous convictions (Table 9.10)

9.30 Reconviction and recommittal rates for persons who are sentenced to prison on their first convictionare much lower than those who had previous convictions. For example the rate for all first timeoffenders was just 17 per cent , compared to 40 per cent for those with 1 or 2 previous convictions, and78 per cent for those with 11 or more previous convictions. Comparable recommittal to custody ratesfor these groups were 6 per cent , 19 per cent and 58 per cent respectively. Reconviction rates forthose with no previous convictions were less than half of those who had 1 or 2 previous convictionsfor all males, and were less than a third for all females. Recommittal rates show even greaterdifferences; rates for males for example with no previous convictions were just a third of thoseoffenders with 1 or 2 previous convictions. Comparable results for females showed that offenderswith 1 or 2 previous convictions had recommittal rates 4 times larger than first time offenders.

Figure 9.6

ALL PRISONERS RECONVICTED AND THOSE RECOMMITTED TO CUSTODY WITHIN2 YEARS OF RELEASE IN 1999, BY NUMBER OF PREVIOUS CONVICTIONS

Per

cent

age

90

100

80

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

0

None 1 or 2 3 to 6 7 to 10 11 or more Total


% Reconvicted % Reconvicted and recommitted to custody

160

Table 9.1 Prisoners reconvicted(1) by year of discharge(2) and sex, within two years of discharge from prison

England and WalesAll males and females Number of persons/Percentage reconvicted(4)

SexYear ofDischarge

Young offenders(3) Adults TotalNumber Per cent Number Per cent Number Per cent

MalesAll discharges(4) within 2 years1987 23,298 72 39,459 49 62,757 571988 20,750 70 37,973 48 58,723 561989 15,980 71 36,518 46 52,498 531990 12,389 72 33,208 45 45,597 531991 12,744 72 34,122 46 46,866 531992 10,554 72 33,151 45 43,705 521993 11,681 75 33,700 47 45,381 541994 12,635 75 40,296 50 52,931 561995 13,446 77 46,264 53 59,710 581996 13,894 76 47,671 52 61,565 581997 14,884 76 54,061 54 68,945 591998 16,168 74 56,685 55 72,853 591999 17,508 74 64,543 55 82,051 59

FemalesAll discharges(4) within 2 years1987 692 52 2,175 36 2,867 401988 513 55 2,087 37 2,600 401989 431 57 1,858 37 2,289 411990 302 59 1,574 36 1,876 401991 321 52 1,673 38 1,994 401992 265 51 1,587 36 1,852 381993 334 51 1,737 38 2,071 401994 388 63 2,059 43 2,447 461995 486 55 2,482 45 2,968 471996 548 57 2,799 45 3,347 471997 663 58 3,348 50 4,011 511998 957 57 4,013 50 4,970 521999 1,012 62 5,041 53 6,053 55

All prisonersAll discharges(4) within 2 years1987 23,900 71 41,634 49 65,624 571988 21,263 70 40,060 47 61,323 551989 16,411 71 38,376 45 54,787 531990 12,691 72 34,782 45 47,473 521991 13,065 72 35,795 45 48,860 531992 10,819 71 34,738 45 45,557 511993 12,015 74 35,437 46 47,452 531994 13,023 75 42,355 50 55,378 561995 13,932 76 48,747 52 62,878 581996 14,441 75 50,470 52 64,911 571997 15,547 75 57,409 54 72,956 581998 17,125 73 60,698 55 77,823 591999 18,520 73 69,584 55 88,104 59(1) Only subsequent convictions for standard list offences are counted as reconviction.(2) Changes in the coverage of standard list offences in 1995 and at the start of 1996 increased the overall 2 year reconviction rate for

custody by 1 percentage point for prisoners discharged in 1995 relative to what it would otherwise have been. The increases fordischarges in subsequent years were 1.4, 1.9, 2.5, 1.5 and 1.3 respectively.

(3) Figures for young offenders are based on age at sentence. They include offenders aged 14 years and over and thus excludes those onsecure training orders.

(4) Estimates are based on samples of discharged prisoners, though for smaller sub groups all prisoners are taken including females,ethnic minorities and lifers. Samples are then scaled up to give the number in the total discharged population. This involves somerounding.

161

Table 9.2 Reconviction rates(1), by time between discharge from prison and first reconviction, number ofreconvictions and type of offender (a) within two years of discharge from prison during 1999,(b) within three and four years for those discharged in 1988 and (c) five, six and seven years forthose discharged in 1987


Year of dischargeTime since dischargeNumber of reconvictions

Male youngoffenders Adult males All males All females All prisoners

Result of follow up:Number discharged in 1999 17,508 64,543 82,051 6,053 88,1043 months after discharge% with 1 or more 17 13 14 15 14

2 or more 3 3 3 3 33 or more – 1 1 1 14 or more – – – – –

Average number of reconvictions(2) 0.20 0.17 0.18 0.20 0.186 months after discharge% with 1 or more 37 26 28 29 28

2 or more 11 9 7 10 93 or more 3 3 2 4 34 or more 1 1 1 2 1

Average number of reconvictions(2) 0.53 0.40 0.43 0.47 0.439 months after discharge% with 1 or more 51 36 38 38 38


Average number of reconvictions(2) 0.87 0.63 0.67 0.72 0.681 year after discharge% with 1 or more 59 42 45 44 45


Average number of reconvictions(2) 1.19 0.85 0.91 0.97 0.922 years after discharge% with 1 or more 74 55 59 55 59


Average number of reconvictions(2) 2.29 1.59 1.73 1.81 1.74Number discharged in 1988 20,750 37,973 58,723 2,600 61,3233 years after discharge% with 1 or more 77 55 63 46 62




Average number of reconvictions(2) 2.52 1.63 1.94 1.32 1.92Number discharged in 1987 23,298 39,459 62,757 2,867 65,6245 years after discharge% with 1 or more 84 64 71 52 70






Average number of reconvictions(2) 4.27 2.73 3.29 2.05 3.24

(1) Only subsequent convictions for standard list offences are counted as reconvictions.(2) The number of reconvictions (this includes fifth and subsequent reconvictions) divided by the numbers discharged. Only 1

reconviction per court appearance is counted.(3) The impact of pseudo reconvictions becomes more important for shorter follow up periods, as they tend to form a greater

proportion of subsequent convictions after the date of sentence.(4) Estimates are based on samples of discharged prisoners, though for smaller sub groups all prisoners are taken including females,

ethnic minorities and lifers. Samples are then scaled up to give the number in the total discharged population. This involves somerounding.

162

Table 9.3 Prisoners reconvicted(1), by original length of sentence and sentence for the principal offence(2)

on first reconviction, within two years of discharge from prison during 1999


Original length of sentence

Age at sentenceSentence on first reconviction

All dis-charges

Up to 12months

Over 12months

and up to4 years

Over 4years

and up to10 years

Over 10yearsnot

includinglife Life

Males aged 21-24Result of follow up:Number discharged 15,890 10,675 4,483 671 33 28% reconvicted within 2 years of discharge 67 71 63 40 43 8Sentence on first reconviction:All sentences (=100%) 10,663 7,541 2,834 272 14 2Discharge 11 11 10 15 8 –Fine 26 25 28 32 17 50Community rehabilitation order(3) 11 12 9 6 – –Community punishment order(4) 7 7 7 6 – –Community punishment & rehabilitation order(5) 4 5 4 3 – –Other community sentences(6) 1 1 1 1 – –Immediate custody 37 36 38 34 67 –Fully suspended sentence – – – – 8 –Other 3 3 3 3 – 50Males aged 25-34Result of follow up:Number discharged 30,119 20,820 7,725 1,451 92 31% reconvicted within 2 years of discharge 59 63 54 36 26 7Sentence on first reconviction:All sentences (=100%) 17,811 13,060 4,202 523 24 2Discharge 12 12 12 15 10 –Fine 25 23 28 34 35 –Community rehabilitation order(3) 12 13 12 7 5 –Community punishment order(4) 5 5 5 6 – –Community punishment & rehabilitation order(5) 4 5 3 2 5 –Other community sentences(6) 1 1 – 1 – –Immediate custody 38 39 36 32 45 50Fully suspended sentence – – – – – –Other 3 3 3 3 – 50Males aged 35 and overResult of follow up:Number discharged 18,534 13,057 4,318 1,056 76 27% reconvicted within 2 years of discharge 39 44 30 14 18 4Sentence on first reconviction:All sentences (=100%) 7,265 5,808 1,292 150 14 1Discharge 10 9 14 16 25 –Fine 26 26 25 23 17 –Community rehabilitation order(3) 11 12 9 11 8 –Community punishment order(4) 4 3 5 7 – –Community punishment & rehabilitation order(5) 3 3 3 3 – –Other community sentences(6) – – 1 – – –Immediate custody 41 42 41 36 50 100Fully suspended sentence – – 1 2 – –Other 4 4 2 3 – –All Adult MalesResult of follow up:Number discharged 64,543 44,552 16,526 3,178 201 86% reconvicted within 2 years of discharge 55 59 50 30 26 6Sentence on first reconviction:All sentences (=100%) 35,739 26,409 8,328 945 52 5Discharge 11 11 12 15 14 –Fine 25 24 28 32 25 20Community rehabilitation order(3) 12 12 10 7 5 –Community punishment order(4) 5 5 6 6 – –Community punishment & rehabilitation order(5) 4 4 3 3 2 –Other community sentences(6) 1 1 1 1 – –Immediate custody 38 39 38 33 52 40Fully suspended sentence – – – – 2 –Other 6 6 5 3 – 40

(1) Only subsequent convictions for standard list offences are counted as reconvictions.(2) The principal offence relates to the conviction resulting in the severest sentence at an individual court appearance.(3) Renamed from probation order in 2001.(4) Renamed from community service order in 2001.(5) Renamed from combination order in 2001.(6) Other community sentences include curfews, drug testing and treatment orders and action plan orders.(7) Estimates are based on samples of discharge prisoners, though for smaller sub groups all prisoners are taken including females,


(8) Percentages are italicised if base numbers are below 50.

163

Table 9.3 (continued) Prisoners reconvicted(1), by original length of sentence and sentence for theprincipal offence(2) on first reconviction, within two years of discharge from prisonduring 1999



SexSentence on first reconviction

All dis-charges

Up to 12months

Over 12months

and up to4 years

Over 4years

and up to10 years

Over 10yearsnot

includinglife Life

All malesResult of follow up:Number discharged 82,051 56,789 21,533 3,434 201 94% reconvicted within 2 years of discharge 59 62 55 31 26 6Sentence on first reconviction:

All sentences (=100%) 48,660 35,663 11,870 1,070 52 5Discharge 11 11 11 15 14 –Fine 25 24 28 32 25 20Community rehabilitation order(3) 12 13 10 7 5 –Community punishment order(4) 6 6 6 6 – –Community punishment & rehabilitation order(5) 4 5 4 3 2 –Other community sentences(6) 1 1 1 – – –Immediate custody 35 35 35 34 52 40Fully suspended sentence – – – – 2 –Other 6 6 5 3 – 40

All femalesResult of follow up:Number discharged 6,053 4,849 1,059 138 4 3% reconvicted within 2 years of discharge 55 60 36 12 – –Sentence on first reconviction:

All sentences (=100%) 3,312 2,913 382 16 – –Discharge 16 16 18 50 – –Fine 21 21 24 14 – –Community rehabilitation order(3) 23 23 21 14 – –Community punishment order(4) 3 3 2 7 – –Community punishment & rehabilitation order(5) 3 2 3 7 – –Other community sentences(6) 1 1 1 – – –Immediate custody 28 29 28 7 – –Fully suspended sentence – 1 – – – –Other 5 5 3 – – –

All prisonersResult of follow up:Number discharged 88,104 61,638 22,592 3,572 205 97% reconvicted within 2 years of discharge 59 62 54 30 26 6Sentence on first reconviction:

All sentences (=100%) 51,971 38,576 12,252 1,086 52 5Discharge 12 12 11 15 14 –Fine 25 24 28 31 25 20Community rehabilitation order(3) 13 13 11 7 5 –Community punishment order(4) 5 5 6 6 – –Community punishment & rehabilitation order(5) 4 5 4 3 2 –Other community sentences(6) 1 1 1 – – –Immediate custody 35 34 35 34 52 40Fully suspended sentence – – – – 2 –Other 6 6 5 3 – 40




164

Table 9.4 Young males reconvicted(1), by original length of sentence and sentence for the principaloffence(2) on first reconviction, within two years of discharge from prison during 1999

England and WalesYoung male offenders Number of persons/Percentage reconvicted(6)


Age at sentenceSentence on first reconviction

All dis-charges

Up to 12months

Over 12monthsup to

4 years

Over 4yearsup to

10 years

Over 10yearsnot

includinglife Life

Young male offendersAge 14–17Result of follow up:Number discharged 5,045 3,618 1,346 81 – 1% reconvicted within 2 years of discharge 80 83 75 48 – –Sentence on first reconviction:

All sentences (=100%) 4,050 3,009 1,002 39 – –Discharge 14 15 10 11 – –Fine 20 19 23 28 – –Community rehabilitation order(3) 16 18 11 8 – –Community punishment order(4) 7 7 5 11 – –Community punishment & rehabilitation order(5) 7 8 5 6 – –Other community sentences(6) 2 2 1 – – –Immediate custody 22 19 28 31 – –Other 14 13 16 6 – –

Age 18–20Result of follow up:Number discharged 12,463 8,620 3,661 175 – 7% reconvicted within 2 years of discharge 71 72 69 49 – –Sentence on first reconviction:


All young male offendersResult of follow up:Number discharged 17,508 12,237 5,007 256 – 8% reconvicted within 2 years of discharge 74 76 71 49 – –Sentence on first reconviction:





165

Table 9.5 Adult prisoners by type of custody, percentage reconvicted(1) and recommitted(2) to prisonwithin two years of discharge from prison(3)

England and WalesAdult males and females Number of persons/percentage reconvicted

Type of custodyYear of discharge

Reconvicted

Number discharged AllRecommitted to prison under

sentence during follow up period

Adultmales

Adultfemales

Adultmales

Adultfemales

Adultmales

Adultfemales

Per cent Per cent Per cent Per cent

All discharges1987 39,459 2,175 49 36 26 121988 37,973 2,087 48 37 22 121989 36,518 1,858 46 37 21 111990 33,208 1,574 45 36 21 111991 34,122 1,673 46 38 19 111992 33,151 1,587 45 36 19 111993 33,700 1,737 47 38 23 161994 40,296 2,059 50 43 26 171995 46,264 2,482 53 45 30 211996 47,671 2,799 52 45 31 231997 54,061 3,348 54 50 33 271998 56,685 4,013 55 50 35 291999 64,543 5,041 55 53 36 31

Unsuspended imprisonmentUp to 18 months

1987 27,844 1,533 53 43 27 141988 26,163 1,463 52 43 23 141989 24,214 1,251 50 45 23 141990 21,608 1,086 50 43 23 151991 22,764 1,180 50 45 20 141992 22,524 1,135 49 44 20 131993 23,879 1,375 50 42 24 181994 29,950 1,740 53 45 28 171995 34,478 2,083 55 49 31 231996 36,281 2,408 55 48 32 251997 40,887 2,847 56 53 34 301998 42,901 3,421 58 55 37 321999 49,352 4,340 58 57 38 33

Over 18 months up to 4 years1987 7,810 294 46 25 25 61988 8,429 329 43 23 21 61989 8,575 343 42 21 18 41990 8,344 293 42 24 20 61991 7,510 277 42 21 18 41992 7,444 254 42 22 18 81993 6,905 215 45 32 23 111994 7,505 240 46 31 25 171995 8,317 267 50 29 29 101996 8,656 299 48 29 29 111997 10,331 409 50 31 30 131998 10,827 478 52 29 32 141999 11,726 559 50 33 31 17

Over 4 years1987 1,277 13 31 – 15 –1988 1,414 34 28 16 14 31989 1,789 48 27 5 13 21990 2,054 59 28 12 11 –1991 2,523 89 25 19 11 81992 1,297 107 26 6 11 21993 2,813 133 24 4 10 –1994 2,318 53 31 11 15 31995 2,339 74 31 7 15 21996 2,619 89 30 8 15 11997 2,750 88 31 15 16 11998 2,812 106 28 7 14 11999 3,465 142 29 12 15 2

(1) Only subsequent convictions for standard list offences are counted as reconvictions.(2) Those who are committed to custody after being reconvicted for a standard list offence within the 2 year period after the date of

discharge.(3) Changes in the coverage of standard list offences in 1995 and at the start of 1996 increased the overall 2 year reconviction rate for


(4) Estimates are based on samples of discharged prisoners, though for smaller sub groups all prisoners are taken including females,ethnic minorities and lifers. Samples are then scaled up to give the number in the total discharge population. This involves somerounding.


166

Table 9.5 (continued) Adult prisoners by type of custody, percentage reconvicted(1) and recommitted(2) toprison within two years of discharge from prison(3)

England and WalesAdult males and females Number of persons/percentage reconvicted

Type of custodyYear of discharge

Reconvicted

Number discharged AllRecommitted to prison under

sentence during follow up period

Adultmales

Adultfemales

Adultmales

Adultfemales

Adultmales

Adultfemales

Per cent Per cent Per cent Per cent

All unsuspended imprisonment1987 39,931 1,841 51 40 26 131988 36,006 1,827 49 39 22 131989 34,578 1,642 47 39 21 111990 32,006 1,438 46 38 21 121991 32,797 1,546 46 39 19 121992 31,266 1,496 46 38 19 111993 33,597 1,722 47 38 22 161994 39,772 2,033 50 43 26 171995 45,134 2,424 53 45 30 211996 47,556 2,796 52 45 31 221997 53,968 3,345 54 50 33 271998 56,540 4,005 55 50 35 291999 64,543 5,041 55 53 36 31

Partly suspended sentences1987 2,528 334 29 17 13 61988 1,967 260 29 20 13 51989 1,934 215 26 19 11 41990 1,163 133 24 14 10 21991 858 104 24 13 8 11992 540 84 22 10 8 11993 24 3 52 – 43 –1994 2 – 100 – 100 –1995 – – – – – –1996 – – – – – –1997 – – – – – –1998 – – – – – –1999 – – – – – –

(1) Only subsequent convictions for standard list offences are counted as reconvictions.(2) Those who are committed to custody after being reconvicted for a standard list offence within the 2 year period after the date of

discharge.(3) Changes in the coverage of standard list offences in 1995 and at the start of 1996 increased the overall 2 year reconviction rate for


(4) Estimates are based on samples of discharged prisoners, though for smaller sub groups all prisoners are taken including females,ethnic minorities and lifers. Samples are then scaled up to give the number in the total discharge population. This involves somerounding.


167

Table 9.6 Young males, percentage reconvicted(1) and recommitted to prison within two years of dischargefrom prison(2)

England and WalesYoung male offenders Number of persons/Percentage reconvicted/recommitted to prison(4)

Year of discharge Aged 14–16(2) Aged 17(2) Aged 18–20(2) Aged 14–20(3)

Number discharged1987 3,660 4,230 15,054 22,9431988 3,135 3,731 13,884 20,7501989 2,014 2,897 11,068 15,9801990 1,302 2,125 8,962 12,3891991 1,339 1,896 9,509 12,7441992 1,184 1,527 7,843 10,5541993 1,333 1,864 8,485 11,6811994 1,650 1,904 9,081 12,6351995 1,831 1,906 9,710 13,4461996 1,971 2,222 9,701 13,8931997 2,128 2,482 10,274 14,8841998 2,244 2,614 11,310 16,1681999 2,333 2,713 12,463 17,508

Per cent reconvicted1987 83 77 67 721988 83 78 65 701989 86 78 66 711990 89 80 68 721991 88 78 69 721992 89 77 68 721993 89 81 72 751994 88 86 71 751995 88 85 73 771996 85 83 72 761997 84 84 72 761998 82 79 71 741999 82 79 71 74

Per cent recommitted to prison1987 54 47 35 401988 53 44 33 381989 54 42 29 351990 57 49 33 381991 62 44 33 381992 62 44 33 381993 65 56 41 461994 64 63 42 481995 64 62 46 511996 62 60 47 511997 60 60 47 511998 58 56 46 491999 57 57 47 50

(1) Only subsequent convictions for standard list offences are counted as reconvictions.(2) Changes in the coverage of standard list offences in 1995 and at the start of 1996 increased the overall 2 year reconviction rate for


(3) Figures are based on age at sentence.(4) Estimates are based on samples of discharged prisoners, though for smaller sub groups all prisoners are taken including females,


168

Table 9.7 Prisoners reconvicted(1), by sentence for the principal offence(2) on first reconviction, within two years ofdischarge from prison(3)

England and WalesAll males and females Number of persons/percentage reconvicted(7)

Year ofdischarge

Sentence on first reconviction

Numberreconvicted

Un-suspendedimprison-

ment

Partlysuspendedsentence

Youthcustody/

detentioncentre/

detentionin a YOI

Fullysuspendedsentence Fine

Communityrehabilitation

order(4)

Communitypunishment

order(5)

Communitypunishment

&rehabilitation

order(2) Other

Male young offenders1987 16,610 7 – 27 3 24 14 15 – 111988 14,541 7 – 24 3 24 17 13 – 131989 11,336 5 – 21 3 24 18 14 – 141990 8,951 6 – 21 3 23 19 14 – 151991 9,215 7 – 21 2 22 17 14 – 171992 7,558 7 – 17 – 25 15 12 3 211993 8,759 8 – 23 – 22 15 10 5 171994 9,530 8 – 26 – 21 13 9 6 161995 10,315 8 – 27 – 22 13 8 7 151996 10,527 9 – 30 – 23 12 7 7 131997 11,238 8 – 28 – 22 12 7 7 151998 11,892 8 – 22 – 25 13 7 7 191999 12,921 8 – 16 – 26 13 7 6 25

Adult males1987 19,623 31 1 – 15 24 11 7 – 101988 18,113 29 1 – 15 27 12 6 – 101989 16,678 27 – – 14 26 13 6 – 131990 15,105 27 1 – 12 25 13 7 – 151991 15,623 26 – – 9 28 12 9 – 161992 15,034 21 – 1 3 31 13 8 2 201993 15,707 28 – – 1 30 14 9 4 141994 20,297 31 – – 1 28 14 8 4 131995 24,399 32 – – 1 29 13 7 5 131996 24,877 35 – – 1 27 13 6 5 131997 29,134 37 – – – 27 12 6 5 121998 31,187 38 – – – 28 12 5 5 131999 35,739 38 – – – 25 12 5 4 15

All males1987 36,033 20 1 12 10 24 13 10 – 101988 32,683 19 – 11 10 26 14 9 – 111989 28,062 18 – 8 9 26 15 9 – 131990 24,113 19 – 8 9 24 15 9 – 151991 24,891 19 – 8 6 26 14 11 – 161992 22,635 17 – 6 2 29 14 9 3 211993 24,503 21 – 8 1 27 14 9 5 151994 29,880 24 – 9 – 26 14 8 5 141995 34,790 25 – 8 1 26 14 7 5 141996 35,414 27 – 9 1 26 13 6 5 131997 40,372 29 – 8 – 26 12 6 5 131998 43,113 30 – 6 – 27 12 6 5 151999 48,660 31 – 4 – 25 12 6 4 18

(1) Only subsequent convictions for standard list offences are counted as reconvictions.(2) The principal offence relates to the conviction resulting in the severest sentence at an individual court appearance.(3) Changes in the coverage of standard list offences in 1995 and at the start of 1996 increased the overall 2 year reconviction rate for custody by 1 percentage

point for prisoners discharged in 1995 relative to what it would otherwise have been. The increases for discharges in subsequent years were 1.4, 1.9, 2.5, 1.5and 1.3 respectively.

(4) Renamed from probation order in 2001.(5) Renamed from community service order in 2001.(6) Renamed from combination order in 2001. This sentence only became available to courts in 1992.(7) Estimates are based on samples of discharged prisoners, though for smaller sub groups all prisoners are taken including females, ethnic minorities and

lifers. Samples are then scaled up to give the number in the total discharged population. This involves some rounding.

169

Table 9.7 (continued) Prisoners reconvicted(1), by sentence for the principal offence(2) on first reconviction, within twoyears of discharge from prison(3)


Year ofdischarge

Sentence on first reconviction

Numberreconvicted

Un-suspendedimprison-

ment

Partlysuspendedsentence

Youthcustody/

detentioncentre/

detentionin a YOI

Fullysuspendedsentence Fine

Communityrehabilitation

order(4)

Communitypunishment

order(5)

Communitypunishment

&rehabilitation

order(2) Other

All females1987 1,136 15 1 3 12 14 29 7 – 191988 1,047 15 – 4 14 16 28 6 – 171989 932 12 – 4 11 18 28 6 – 201990 743 13 – 2 11 18 28 5 – 231991 806 15 – 3 7 24 24 4 – 221992 711 10 – 2 3 27 26 4 3 241993 837 15 – 3 1 25 29 4 4 191994 1,132 16 – 4 2 22 25 5 4 231995 1,390 20 – 3 1 24 24 3 3 221996 1,567 20 – 3 1 22 28 3 3 201997 2,036 25 – 4 1 22 23 4 4 181998 2,570 25 – 3 1 23 22 3 3 191999 3,312 26 – 2 – 21 23 3 3 22

All prisoners1987 37,233 20 1 12 10 24 13 10 – 101988 33,739 19 – 10 10 25 14 9 – 121989 29,008 18 – 8 9 25 16 9 – 141990 24,864 19 – 8 9 24 15 9 – 151991 25,707 19 – 8 6 26 14 11 – 161992 23,358 16 – 6 2 29 14 9 3 211993 25,358 20 – 8 1 27 15 9 5 151994 31,027 23 – 8 1 26 14 8 5 141995 36,201 25 – 8 1 26 14 7 5 141996 36,999 27 – 9 1 26 13 6 5 131997 42,408 29 – 8 – 26 13 6 5 141998 45,691 29 – 6 – 27 13 5 5 151999 51,971 31 – 4 – 25 13 5 4 18

(1) Only subsequent convictions for standard list offences are counted as reconvictions.(2) The principal offence relates to the conviction resulting in the severest sentence at an individual court appearance.(3) Changes in the coverage of standard list offences in 1995 and at the start of 1996 increased the overall 2 year reconviction rate for custody by 1 percentage

point for prisoners discharged in 1995 relative to what it would otherwise have been. The increases for discharges in subsequent years were 1.4, 1.9, 2.5, 1.5and 1.3 respectively.

(4) Renamed from probation order in 2001.(5) Renamed from community service order in 2001.(6) Renamed from combination order in 2001. This sentence only became available to courts in 1992.(7) Estimates are based on samples of discharged prisoners, though for smaller sub groups all prisoners are taken including females, ethnic minorities and

lifers. Samples are then scaled up to give the number in the total discharged population. This involves some rounding.

170

Table 9.8 Prisoners reconvicted(1), by principal offence(2) for which originally convicted and principal offence on firstconviction, within two years of discharge from prison during 1999(3)

England and WalesAll males and females Number of persons/percentage reconvicted

Offence on firstreconviction

Offence for which originally convicted

Alloffences

Violenceagainst the

personSexual

offences Burglary RobberyTheft of a

vehicleTheft froma vehicle

Theft fromshops Other theft

Fraud andforgery

Criminaldamage

Drugsoffences

Otherindictableoffences

Othersummaryoffences

Motoringoffences

Young male offenders

All discharges 17,508 3,305 152 3,694 1,536 1,080 196 1,121 1,462 263 751 1,055 1,814 457 622% reconvicted within

2 years 74 60 49 82 60 86 92 89 80 72 80 64 72 89 76All reconviction

offences (=100%) 12,921 1,973 74 3,027 926 930 181 1,001 1,165 190 601 671 1,301 407 474Violence against the

person 12 21 20 8 13 9 4 6 11 13 12 10 16 9 11Sexual offences – 1 3 – 1 – – – – – – – – – –Burglary 12 8 7 20 7 12 10 11 8 9 12 8 10 14 12Robbery 3 1 1 2 11 1 2 2 4 1 3 3 2 – 1Theft of a vehicle 5 3 4 5 3 12 7 2 4 1 7 4 6 3 6Theft from a vehicle 2 1 – 2 1 3 11 1 2 2 2 1 1 4 1Theft from shops 14 10 4 13 10 7 10 39 19 14 12 11 15 7 10Other theft 10 7 6 12 8 9 21 10 14 14 7 8 6 12 11Fraud and forgery 2 2 3 1 2 1 – 1 3 12 4 3 1 – 2Criminal damage 7 10 13 6 8 6 1 4 4 4 12 6 9 11 2Drugs offences 9 9 6 8 12 8 11 6 6 13 8 20 6 5 7Other indictable

offences 10 9 7 10 9 7 6 9 11 3 9 12 12 16 11Other summary

offences 7 6 9 7 8 7 9 8 8 9 4 6 5 9 9Motoring offences 9 12 17 5 6 17 7 2 7 4 8 9 11 11 17

Adult males

All discharges 64,543 10,738 2,114 7,800 1,620 1,562 498 6,969 6,320 2,940 1,785 6,093 4,136 922 11,045% reconvicted within


offences (=100%) 35,739 4,818 302 5,752 769 1,180 423 5,698 3,591 986 1,061 2,330 2,032 682 6,115Violence against the

person 10 21 17 7 13 5 8 5 10 9 19 10 13 14 9Sexual offences 1 1 18 – – – – – – – – – – – 1Burglary 9 6 2 24 8 7 11 7 9 6 8 5 8 9 5Robbery 1 1 1 1 8 – 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 – –Theft of a vehicle 2 2 2 2 2 9 4 1 3 2 2 1 1 3 2Theft from a vehicle 1 1 – 1 2 2 20 1 1 – 2 1 1 5 1Theft from shops 21 11 7 19 18 9 14 58 22 18 15 15 14 15 10Other theft 9 7 4 10 7 13 15 9 15 11 5 7 7 7 8Fraud and forgery 3 3 3 3 4 3 4 1 4 17 2 2 2 3 2Criminal damage 6 9 9 5 6 8 2 2 5 7 12 4 7 6 6Drugs offences 9 9 4 8 12 6 7 4 9 8 8 30 9 10 8Other indictable



All males

All discharges 82,051 14,043 2,266 11,494 3,156 2,642 694 8,090 7,782 3,203 2,536 7,148 5,950 1,379 11,667% reconvicted within


offences (=100%) 48,660 6,791 376 8,779 1,695 2,110 604 6,699 4,756 1,176 1,662 3,001 3,333 1,089 6,589Violence against the

person 11 21 18 7 13 7 7 5 10 9 17 10 14 12 9Sexual offences – 1 15 – – – – – – – – – – – 1Burglary 10 6 3 23 8 9 11 7 9 6 9 5 9 10 5Robbery 1 1 1 1 10 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2 – –Theft of a vehicle 3 2 2 3 2 10 5 1 3 2 4 2 3 3 2Theft from a vehicle 1 1 – 2 1 2 17 1 2 1 2 1 1 4 1Theft from shops 20 11 7 17 14 8 13 55 22 17 14 15 14 13 10Other theft 9 7 4 10 8 11 17 9 15 12 6 7 7 9 8Fraud and forgery 3 2 3 2 3 2 3 1 4 16 3 2 2 2 2Criminal damage 6 9 10 5 7 7 2 3 5 7 12 4 7 8 6Drugs offences 9 9 4 8 12 7 8 4 8 9 8 29 8 9 8Other indictable



(1) Only subsequent convictions for standard list offences are counted as reconvictions.(2) The principal offence relates to the conviction resulting in the severest sentence at an individual court appearance.(3) Estimates are based on samples of discharged prisoners, though for smaller sub groups all prisoners are taken including females, ethnic minorities and

lifers. Samples are then scaled up to give the number in the total discharged population. This involves some rounding.(4) Percentages are italicised if base numbers are below 50.

171

Table 9.8 (continued) Prisoners reconvicted(1), by principal offence(2) for which originally convicted and principal offenceon first conviction, within two years of discharge from prison during 1999(3)

England and WalesAll males and females Number of persons/percentage reconvicted

Offence on firstreconviction


Alloffences

Violenceagainst the

personSexual




Fraud andforgery

Criminaldamage

Drugsoffences



Motoringoffences

All females

All discharges 6,053 796 17 265 154 34 4 1,636 881 627 116 820 392 62 250% reconvicted within


offences (=100%) 3,312 336 1 165 70 26 3 1,327 467 224 69 243 227 43 115Violence against the

person 7 23 – 7 13 14 33 4 4 5 22 6 9 13 11Sexual offences – – – 1 – – – – – – – – – – –Burglary 2 3 – 10 2 – – 1 2 3 7 2 2 10 1Robbery 1 2 – 1 1 – – – 1 – 2 1 – 3 –Theft of a vehicle 1 1 – – 1 5 33 1 1 – 2 – – 3 2Theft from a vehicle – – – 1 – – – – – – – – – – 1Theft from shops 45 25 100 33 31 27 – 67 35 33 22 37 31 30 22Other theft 13 10 – 15 13 18 – 8 25 20 3 12 13 – 13Fraud and forgery 6 4 – 7 5 – – 4 8 14 7 6 5 3 4Criminal damage 3 7 – 7 6 – 33 1 2 1 20 – 5 3 5Drugs offences 6 4 – 7 9 9 – 3 8 9 2 24 4 – 4Other indictable

offences 9 12 – 4 7 14 – 7 8 11 2 6 22 20 5Other summary

offences 3 5 – 5 9 5 – 2 4 2 10 1 6 15 1Motoring offences 4 3 – 3 2 9 – 2 3 2 2 4 3 3 32

All prisoners

All discharges 88,104 14,839 2,283 11,759 3,310 2,676 698 9,726 8,663 3,830 2,652 7,968 6,342 1,441 11,917% reconvicted within


offences (=100%) 51,972 7,127 377 8,944 1,765 2,136 607 8,026 5,223 1,400 1,731 3,244 3,560 1,132 6,704Violence against the

person 11 21 18 7 13 7 7 4 9 8 17 9 14 12 9Sexual offences – 1 15 – – – – – – – – – – – 1Burglary 9 6 3 22 8 9 11 6 8 6 9 5 8 10 5Robbery 1 1 1 1 9 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 1 – –Theft of a vehicle 2 2 2 3 2 10 5 1 3 2 4 1 3 3 2Theft from a vehicle 1 1 – 2 1 2 17 1 1 1 2 1 1 4 1Theft from shops 21 12 7 17 15 8 13 57 23 20 14 16 16 13 10Other theft 9 7 4 11 8 11 17 9 16 13 6 7 7 8 8Fraud and forgery 3 3 3 2 3 2 3 2 4 16 3 3 2 2 2Criminal damage 6 9 10 5 7 7 2 2 4 6 12 4 7 8 6Drugs offences 9 9 4 8 12 7 8 4 8 9 8 28 8 8 8Other indictable



(1) Only subsequent convictions for standard list offences are counted as reconvictions.(2) The principal offence relates to the conviction resulting in the severest sentence at an individual court appearance.(3) Estimates are based on samples of discharged prisoners, though for smaller sub groups all prisoners are taken including females, ethnic minorities and


172

Table 9.9 Prisoners reconvicted(1), by ethnic group(2), nationality and offence, within two years of discharge from prisonduring 1999


Ethnic origin(2) andnationality


Alloffences

Violenceagainst the

personSexual




Fraud andforgery

Criminaldamage

Drugoffences



Motoringoffences

England and Wales

All ethnic groups

Number discharged 88,104 14,839 2,283 11,759 3,310 2,676 698 9,726 8,663 3,830 2,652 7,698 6,342 1,441 11,917% reconvictedBritish nationals 60 48 16 76 53 80 87 83 61 40 65 42 58 79 57All nationalities 59 48 16 76 53 80 87 82 60 36 65 40 56 78 56

White

Number discharged 76,334 12,844 2,019 10,730 2,310 2,496 609 8,705 7,555 2,906 2,419 6,414 5,449 1,295 10,583% reconvictedBritish nationals 61 49 16 76 53 81 87 84 61 42 66 42 58 79 57All nationalities 60 48 15 76 53 80 88 83 61 41 65 42 57 79 57

Black

Number discharged 7,200 1,227 143 701 745 115 63 620 665 474 135 1,048 447 84 733% reconvictedBritish nationals 57 49 32 72 55 72 82 80 61 37 70 40 61 76 57All nationalities 53 47 28 72 55 69 82 79 59 27 68 34 55 74 53

South Asian

Number discharged 2,222 390 56 137 145 32 14 137 180 244 47 252 238 34 316% reconvictedBritish nationals 46 40 20 66 44 58 67 75 48 26 50 40 37 79 54All nationalities 42 36 18 65 42 59 67 76 45 20 43 39 32 59 49

Other

Number discharged 2,348 379 65 191 110 34 11 264 263 206 50 254 209 27 285% reconvictedBritish nationals 52 45 20 77 55 67 88 68 49 24 46 46 48 74 54All nationalities 42 39 13 72 49 67 89 59 41 12 44 37 34 68 43

(1) Only subsequent convictions for standard list offences are counted as reconvictions.(2) All ethnic minority prisoners are extracted for the analysis to ensure reliable reconviction rates can be calculated.(3) Estimates are based on samples of discharged prisoners, though for smaller sub groups all prisoners are taken including females, ethnic minorities and


173

Table 9.10 Prisoners reconvicted(1) and those recommitted to custody within 2 years of release from prisonin 1999 by age, gender and number of previous convictions

England and WalesAll males and females Percentage reconvicted(3)

Number of previous convictions(2)

11 orNone 1 or 2 3–6 7–10 more Total

Prisoners released and ReconvictedMales aged under 17 42 77 91 96 96 82Males aged 18-20 28 59 80 88 96 71Males aged 21-24 20 41 66 78 89 67Males aged 25-34 14 32 44 60 81 59Males aged 35 and over 8 15 27 40 62 39All males 18 40 58 68 78 59All females 12 42 66 78 86 55All prisoners 17 40 59 68 78 59

Reconvicted and Returned to CustodyMales aged under 17 19 47 66 83 88 57Males aged 18-20 9 29 52 67 83 47Males aged 21-24 7 20 37 54 71 45Males aged 25-34 6 13 23 35 59 38Males aged 35 and over 3 8 11 24 43 24All males 7 20 35 45 57 39All females 4 17 33 45 61 31All prisoners 6 19 34 45 58 38

(1) Only subsequent convictions for standard list offences are counted as reconvictions.(2) Individual court appearances leading to a conviction for a standard list offence before the date of sentence for the current custodial

sentence.(3) Estimates are based on samples of discharged prisoners, though for smaller sub groups all prisoners are taken including females,


174

CHAPTER 10

PAROLE AND HOME DETENTION CURFEW

Key pointsParole

● 6,010 determinate sentence prisoners were considered for parole in 2002/03, 9 per cent more than in2001/02.

● The vast majority, 99.8 per cent, of those considered were Discretionary Conditional Releaseprisoners (i.e. those subject to the Criminal Justice Act 1991) whilst the remaining 0.2 per cent were‘existing’ prisoners (i.e. those not subject to the Act because they were sentenced before 1st October1992, when the Act came into force).

● Of the 6,010 prisoners considered for parole, 3,180 were released (53 per cent). This compares to51 per cent in 2001/02 and is the highest release rate since 1992.

● In 2002/03, 13 per cent of those on parole were recalled. Under 6 per cent were recalled forcommitting a further offence.

● The rate of release varied depending on the offence committed; sexual offenders were least likely tobe granted parole and drugs offenders were most likely.

● The average time spent on licence for determinate sentence prisoners released on parole was 18months.

Home Detention Curfew (HDC)

● In 2002, 55,370 prisoners were eligible to be considered for the HDC scheme of which 20,525 werereleased: a release rate of 37 per cent, 12 percentage points higher than the release rate in 2001,reflecting the extensions to the HDC scheme in 2002.

● Ninety-three per cent of prisoners released onto Home Detention Curfew completed their curfewsuccessfully, with only 7 per cent being recalled to prison.

● The most common reason for recall was failure to comply with the curfew conditions, accounting for54 per cent of all recalls.

● Rates of release for different types of prisoner indicate that risk of reoffending is a key factor in therelease decision.

● Rates of release for women onto HDC were higher than the rates of release for men.

● The rates of release for White, Black and South Asian male prisoners were very similar; for ‘Chineseand other’ male prisoners, the release rates were much higher.

175

Parole

10.1 Parole was introduced by the Criminal Justice Act 1967 as part of a package of measures which hadthe common aim of “keeping out of prisons those who need not be there” (Roy Jenkins, HomeSecretary during the passage of the 1967 Act). In the mid-1980’s the parole system was producing so‘many tensions, anomalies and procedural inadequacies’ (Hood & Shute, 2000) that a review wasnecessary. The review, carried out under the chairmanship of Lord Carlisle, provided the basis forreforms, which were introduced by the Criminal Justice Act 1991. The Act, which came into force on1st October 1992, introduced new arrangements so that only prisoners serving sentences of 4 years ormore are eligible for parole. For the first time the Parole Board was given power to direct release ofprisoners serving between 4 and less than 7 years. This has been extended to less than 15 years sinceDecember 1998. For prisoners serving 15 years or more the Board makes a recommendation to theSecretary of State.

10.2 The Criminal Justice Act 1991 also made a number of significant changes to the parole system interms of eligibility and supervision of prisoners following their release. First, prior to the CriminalJustice Act, prisoners were eligible to be considered for parole after they had served a third of theirsentence; they are now only eligible after they have served half of their sentence. Second, under theold system, prisoners not granted parole but released after serving two-thirds of their sentence (ontheir Non-Parole Date — NPD), received no statutory supervision from the probation service. The1991 Act ensures that whether released on parole or at NPD (which is still at the two-thirds point ofthe sentence) the prisoner is subject to supervision until the three-quarters point of his/her sentencehas been reached. Third, in order that the whole sentence should be significant, prisoners remain atrisk of being required to serve the unexpired part of their sentence should they be convicted of afurther imprisonable offence before the sentence expires.

10.3 The changes to the parole system introduced by the Criminal Justice Act 1991 only apply to thosesentenced on or after 1st October 1992 (when the Act came into force). Prisoners who weresentenced before 1st October 1992 are still dealt with under the old system of parole i.e. they areeligible to be considered for parole a third of the way through their sentence, they do not receivesupervision if they are released at NPD and they are not at risk of having the unexpired part of theirsentence reintroduced. These prisoners are referred to as ‘existing’ prisoners, whilst prisoners whoare subject to the Act are known as Discretionary Conditional Release (DCR) prisoners. Thenumber of existing prisoners is decreasing year by year and eventually there will be none remaining.For example, in 2002/03, 15 of the 6,010 determinate sentence prisoners considered for parole 15were existing prisoners compared with 27 in 2001/02 and 38 per cent in 1995/96. This chapter willfocus mainly on the over 99 per cent of parole cases which are DCR prisoners.

Parole Release Rates (Tables 10.1 and 10.2; figure 10.1)

10.4 In 2002/03, 6,010 determinate sentence prisoners were considered for parole (15 of whom wereexisting prisoners), nine per cent more than in the previous year. Of the 6,010 prisoners consideredfor parole in 2002/03, 53 per cent (3,180) were released. This compares to 51 per cent in 2001/02 andunder 40 per cent in 1998/99.

176

Figure 10.1

PRISONERS CONSIDERED AND RELEASED ON PAROLE,1998/99–2002/03

7,000

6,000

5,000

4,000

3,000

2,000

1,000

0

1998/99 1999/00 2000/01 2001/02 2002/03

Year

6,078

2,383

6,219

2,561

5,576

2,584

5,514

2,791

6,012

3,175

Num

ber

elig

ible

/rel

ease

d

Considered

Released

Offence Type and Parole (Table 10.2; figure 10.2)

10.5 The rate of release onto parole for DCR cases varies depending on the offence committed by theprisoner. Sexual offenders were least likely to be paroled (29 per cent). The highest rate of releasewas seen among drugs offenders, of whom 76 per cent were released on parole.

Figure 10.2

RATE OF RELEASE OF ELIGIBLE DCR PRISONERS ONTOPAROLE BY OFFENCE TYPE, 2002/03

80.0%70.0%60.0%

50.0%

40.0%

30.0%20.0%10.0%0.0%

29.0%

50.8%

41.0%

75.7%

49.4% 52.9%

Sexual Other violence Property Drugs Other Total

offencesOffence

Per

cent

elig

ible

rel

ease

d

Time spent on Parole Licence (Tables 10.3 and 10.4)

10.6 The average time spent on licence was 18 months in 2002/03 for DCR prisoners who had beensentenced to less than 15 years and who were released on parole. The 31 DCR prisoners who wereparoled from sentences of 15 years or more had an average period on licence of 40 months.

Ethnicity and Parole (Table 10.5; figure 10.3)

10.7 The parole rate varies somewhat between ethnic groups. South Asian prisoners are most likely to beparoled. ‘Chinese and other’ prisoners are also more successful than White or Black prisoners atachieving parole. It is likely that the differing nature of offence types within the different ethnicgroups could explain some of these differences in release rates. For example, drug offences, whichare associated with a high rate of release, are much more frequent among South Asian and ‘Chineseand other’ prisoners than among White or Black prisoners.

177

Figure 10.3

RATE OF RELEASE OF ELIGIBLE DCR PRISONERS ONTOPAROLE BY ETHNIC GROUP 2002/03

62.0%

60.0%

58.0%

56.0%

54.0%

52.0%

50.0%

48.0%

Per

cent

elig

ible

rel

ease

d

52.3%53.1%

59.5%

55.9%

52.9%

White Black South Asian Chinese and Totalother

Ethnic group

Recall from Parole (Table 10.6)

10.8 420 (13 per cent of those on licence) parolees were recalled in 2002/03. In 1992 recalls were 13 percent as a proportion of the average number on parole during the year. By 1994 this had fallen to11 per cent where it remained at about the same level until 2002/03. Under 6 per cent of prisonerswere recalled for committing a further offence during 2002/03.

Home Detention Curfew (Tables 10.7 and 10.14; figure 10.4)

10.9 Since 1999, the Home Detention Curfew (HDC) scheme has allowed certain prisoners to be releasedup to 60 days early from prison providing that they agree to abide by an electronically monitoredcurfew. The aim of the scheme is to ease the transition of prisoners from custody into the communitybut it also contributes to the management of the prison population. Those eligible for HDC areprisoners aged 18 or over serving a sentence of 3 months but less than 4 years. Some categories ofprisoners are not eligible for the scheme, such as those registered under the Sex Offenders Act 1997,those awaiting deportation, fine defaulters and those in breach of compliance with a curfew order(see Prison Service order 6700 for further details). There were 55,370 prisoners eligible to beconsidered for Home Detention Curfew in the year 2002. To be released on HDC eligible prisonersmust pass a risk assessment carried out by prison and probation staff, who consider their suitabilityfor the scheme. Of the 55,370 prisoners eligible for HDC, 20,530 passed the risk assessment and werereleased onto HDC, a release rate of 37 per cent in 2002. This compares with a release rate in 2001 of25 per cent and reflects a number of changes: the introduction of the Presumptive HDC scheme inMay 2002 (explained in section 18 of Appendix 1); the lifting in August 2002 of the exclusion from thepresumptive scheme of those with previous convictions of drugs possession; and the increase of themaximum curfew period from 60 to 90 days from 16 December 2002. This last change affected allthose with sentences of 8 months or more. A minimum of 25 per cent of the sentence must still beserved in custody.

10.10 Women constitute a higher proportion of the HDC eligible population (7 per cent) than they do theprison population (6 per cent) and an even higher proportion of those discharged onto HDC (10 percent). In 2002, of the 3,960 women eligible for HDC, 1,960 were released, a release rate of 49 per cent.In comparison, there were 51,410 men eligible for HDC of whom 18,570 were released, giving arelease rate of 36 per cent. This is likely to be connected with the fact that women tend to have lowerreconviction rates, which will be reflected in the HDC risk assessment. Within most of the recordedethnic groups, females have a higher release rate than males. In 2002, the exception was for ‘Chineseand other’ males who had the highest release rates amongst all ethnic groups.

178

Figure 10.4

PROPORTION OF PRISONERS RELEASED ONTO HDC BYETHNIC GROUP AND SEX, 2002

Ethnic group

TotalMalesFemales

70%

60%50%40%

30%20%

10%0%

Rat

e of

rel

ease

37% 36%

49%

37% 36%

51%

36% 35%

42%

37% 36%41%

56% 58%

43%

Total White Black South Asian Chinese andother

Ethnicity, Offence Type and Home Detention Curfew (Table 10.8; figure 10.5)

10.11 There is little difference between the release rate on HDC for White and South Asian (37 per cent)and Black (36 per cent) offenders. However, ‘Chinese and other’ offenders have a much higherrelease rate of 57 per cent.

Figure 10.5

HDC RELEASE RATES FOR ETHNIC GROUPS BY OFFENCE TYPE, 2002

Offence

Violenceagainst

the person

Sexualoffences

Burglary Robbery Theft andhandling

Fraud &forgery

Drugsoffences

Motoringoffences

Otheroffences

Totaloffences

100%

90%

80%

70%

60%

50%

40%

30%

20%

10%

0%

Rel

ease

rat

e Total

Black

White

South Asian

Chinese andŁother

Home Detention Curfew Release Rates (Table 10.9; figure 10.6)

10.12 Release rates vary depending on the length of sentence: in general, as the sentence length increasesso does the release rate. For those serving sentences of less than 12 months the release rate increasesfrom 26 per cent for sentences of 3 months to less than 4 months, to 45 per cent for sentences of8 months to less than 12 months. However, the release rate for those sentenced to 12 months to lessthan 4 years (automatic conditional release) was 40 per cent. As the length of sentence is likely toreflect the seriousness of the offence, one would expect this pattern to go in the opposite direction(i.e. the longer the sentence the lower the release rate). The lower release rate for shorter sentencescan probably be explained by the tight timescales with in which prisons and probation have to workwhen assessing a prisoner’s suitability for HDC. The pressure is increased when account is taken oftime spent on remand and of transfers between prisons during the sentence.

179

Figure 10.6

PROPORTION OF PRISONERS RELEASED ON HDC BYSENTENCE LENGTH, 2002

50%45%40%35%30%25%20%15%10%5%0%

Rat

e of

rel

ease

26%

34%38%

45%40%

37%

3 months to <4 months

4 months to<6 months



12 months to<4 years

Total

Age and Release on Home Detention Curfew (Table 10.10; figure 10.7)

10.13 The release rate onto HDC tends to increase with the age of the prisoner. The release rate for thoseaged 21-24 is 34 per cent. It increases to 37 per cent for those aged 30-39, 47 per cent for those aged40-49 and 50 per cent for those aged 50-59. However, those aged 18-20 and 60 and over are theexception; the release rate for those aged 18-20 is 40 per cent and for those aged 60 and over is 43 percent (but numbers are low in this age group i.e. only 440 eligible prisoners). The increasing releaserate with age is likely to be associated with the higher risk of reconviction for younger prisoners.

Figure 10.7

PROPORTION OF PRISONERS RELEASED ON HDC BY AGEGROUP, 2002

40%34% 33%

37%

47% 50%43%

37%

18-20 21-24 25-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60 &over

All ages

60.0%

50.0%

40.0%

30.0%

20.0%

10.0%

0.0%

Age group

Rat

e of

rel

ease

Establishment Type and Release on Home Detention Curfew (Table 10.11; figure 10.8)

10.14 Open prisons and open young offender institutions contain low risk prisoners. Release rates fromthese establishments were correspondingly high in 2002 (89 per cent and 84 per cent, respectively).Remand centres and closed YOIs had a release rate of 37 per cent and closed training establishments35 per cent. Local prisons had the lowest release rate (24 per cent). This is partly due to their holdingprisoners serving very short sentences, where there may be insufficient time to complete a suitabilityassessment, but also because eligible prisoners are transferred to other establishments prior torelease on HDC.

180

Figure 10.8

PROPORTION OF PRISONERS RELEASED ON HDC BY TYPEOF ESTABLISHMENT, 2002

24%

35%

89%

37%

84%

50%

37%

Locals Closedtrainers

Open Remand& Closed

YOI's

OpenYOI's

Other Total

100%90%80%70%60%50%40%30%20%10%

0%

Establishment type

Rat

e of

rel

ease

Type of Offence and Release on Home Detention Curfew (Table 10.12; figure 10.9)

10.15 The release rate by type of offence varies markedly from the average rate of 37 per cent reflecting thevarying risks of re-offending across offence types. Comparing the percentage of short-term prisonersdischarged in 1999 who were reconvicted within 2 years with the HDC release rates in 2002 for thoseoffences, the release rate declines as the reconviction rate rises for all offence types except for sexualoffences(1). For example, the highest release rate was for drugs offences, at 62 per cent of thoseeligible. The reconviction rate for drugs offences was 44 per cent. The corresponding figures forburglary were 24 per cent (the lowest release rate excluding sexual offences) and 77 per cent (thehighest reconviction rate.

Figure 10.9

HDC RELEASE RATES AND RECONVICTION RATES BY OFFENCE TYPE

57%

77%24%

24%74%

37%

18%

ReconvictionŁrate

HDC releaserate

2%

60%37%

59%46%

39%

49%45%

44%62%

58%

Burglary

Theft & handling

Total

Other

Robbery

Violence

Drugs

Fraud & forgery

Sex offence

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

(1) It should be noted that, since March 2001, offenders required to register under the Sex Offenders Act 1997 have not been eligible tobe released under HDC.

181

Recalls from Home Detention Curfew (Table 10.13; figure 10.10)

10.16 Some 20,525 offenders were released on HDC in 2002, and a total of 1,480 (7 per cent) were recalledto prison by the Prison Service on behalf of the Secretary of State. The most common reason forrecall, which accounted for 54 per cent of all recalls, was failure to comply with the curfew conditions.This category includes being absent from the curfew address within the curfew hours, threateningmonitoring staff, damaging the monitoring equipment or failing to be present for the installation of anew telephone line or equipment. Some prisoners are recalled on the grounds that it is not possible tomonitor them. These fall into three categories: ‘change of circumstances’, ‘installation failure’ and‘monitoring failure’. Subjects recalled on the basis of ‘change of circumstance’ (for example, where asubject has involuntarily lost their curfew address or has withdrawn consent to be monitored)account for 26 per cent of all recalls. ‘Monitoring failure’ (where it becomes impossible to continuemonitoring, for technical or other reasons) and installation failure (where it is not possible to installthe monitoring equipment or make the monitoring equipment fully operational) accounted togetherfor less than one per cent of recalls. In 2002, there was one recall on the grounds that the subjectposed a risk of serious harm to the public. A further 16 per cent of recalls were on the grounds ofbeing charged with a new offence. This can only be used in respect of curfewees whose originaloffences were committed on or after 1st January 1999.

Figure 10.10

REASONS FOR RECALL, 2002

16%1%

54%

4%

1%

26% Change of circumstances

Monitoring failure

Breaches of general non-HDClicence conditions

Breach of conditions

Charged with new offence

Installation failure

10.17 Any person subject to HDC who is recalled may appeal against the decision. Such an appeal can have3 outcomes (a) the decision to recall can be upheld (b) the decision to recall can be overturned (c) thereason for recall can be changed. Of the 1,480 persons subject to HDC who were recalled to prison,75 appealed against the decision. Of these, 61 had the decision upheld, 6 had the decision to recalloverturned, and in 8 cases the reason for recall was changed.

182

Table 10.1 Summary of determinate sentence cases considered by the Parole Board

England and Wales Number of reviews/percentage

1998–99 1999–00 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03

Parole Board cases

Cases considered 6,078 6,219 5,576 5,514 6,012Existing prisoners 203 83 41 27 15DCR prisoners 5,875 6,136 5,535 5,487 5,997

Recommended for parole 2,383 2,561 2,584 2,791 3,175Existing prisoners 63 15 14 11 5DCR prisoners 2,320 2,546 2,570 2,780 3,170

Percentage of cases consideredrecommended for parole 39.2 41.2 46.3 50.6 52.8Existing prisoners 31.0 18.1 34.1 40.7 33.3DCR prisoners 39.5 41.5 46.4 50.7 52.9

Table 10.2 Summary of DCR cases considered and released

England and Wales 2002/03 Case type/sentence length

Less than15 years

15 yearsand over Total

SexualConsidered 765 14 779Released 225 1 226% recommended 29.4 7.1 29.0

Other violenceConsidered 2,269 53 2,322Released 1,158 21 1,179% recommended 51.0 39.6 50.8

PropertyConsidered 864 2 866Released 355 – 355% recommended 41.1 0.0 41.0

DrugsConsidered 1,537 13 1,550Released 1,165 8 1,173% recommended 75.8 61.5 75.7

Other offencesConsidered 475 5 480Released 236 1 237% recommended 49.7 20.0 49.4

TotalConsidered 5,910 87 5,997Released 3,139 31 3,170% recommended 53.1 35.6 52.9

183

Table 10.3 DCR cases released on parole by length of licence(1)

England and Wales 2002/03

Less than15 years

15 yearsand over

Total DCRNumber Per cent

Less than 1 month 4 – 4 0.11 month but less than 3 months 3 – 3 0.13 months but less than 6 months 12 – 12 0.46 months but less than 9 months 41 2 43 1.49 months but less than 12 months 466 – 466 14.712 months but less than 15 months 914 – 914 28.815 months but less than 18 months 616 – 616 19.418 months but less than 24 months 608 1 609 19.224 months but less than 36 months 320 7 327 10.336 months or more 155 21 176 5.6All periods 3,139 31 3,170 100.0Average licence length in months 17.9 39.9 18.1(1) The licence runs from the parole date to the licence expiry date and for Discretionary Conditional Release cases includes the

non-discretionary period after the non-parole release date (between the two-thirds and the three-quarters points of the sentence, orfor some sex offenders, to the end of the sentence).

Table 10.4 Average lengths of licence(1) by sentence length England and Wales months

Sentence length

YearUnder4 years

4 yearsunder7 years

7 yearsor

more

Alldeterminate

sentences

Existing Prisoners1992 6.3 9.3 11.1 7.11993 7.3 10.6 13.9 9.51994 5.4 8.6 15.9 10.91995/96 4.5 6.6 14.7 13.21996/97 – 5.0 16.2 15.91997/98 – 15.2 17.0 17.01998/99 – 5.2 14.5 14.3

Less than15 years

15 yearsor

more

Alldeterminate

sentences1999/00 – 13.9 13.92000/01 – 28.7 28.72001/02 – 17.8 17.82002/03 – 63.4 63.4

Under4 years

4 yearsunder7 years

7 yearsor

more

Alldeterminate

sentencesDiscretionary Conditional Release(1)

1992 n/a n/a n/a n/a1993 – 12.0 – 12.01994 – 12.6 19.9 12.61995/96 – 13.0 19.0 13.21996/97 – 13.9 21.1 14.91997/98 – 14.3 19.8 15.51998/99 – 14.2 20.2 15.4

Less than15 years

15 yearsor

more

Alldeterminate

sentences1999/00 16.5 44.5 16.82000/01 17.1 34.7 17.22001/02 17.7 35.0 17.82002/03 17.9 39.9 18.1

(1) For Discretionary Conditional Release cases, the licence period includes the non-discretionary period after the non-parole releasedate (between the two-thirds and three-quarters points of the sentence).

184

Table 10.5 DCR cases considered and released on parole by ethnic groupEngland and Wales 2002/03 Case type/sentence length

4 yearsunder7 years

7 yearsunder

15 years

15 yearsandover Total

TotalOpt out 515 464 37 1,016Considered 4,042 1,868 87 5,997Released 2,301 838 31 3,170Percentage released 56.9 44.9 35.6 52.9

WhiteOpt out 435 386 26 847Considered 3,144 1,442 63 4,649Released 1,781 626 26 2,433Percentage released 56.6 43.4 41.3 52.3

BlackOpt out 55 59 8 122Considered 571 297 16 884Released 327 138 4 469Percentage released 57.3 46.5 25.0 53.1

South AsianOpt out 5 4 1 10Considered 175 60 2 237Released 110 30 1 141Percentage released 62.9 50.0 50.0 59.5

Chinese and otherOpt out 20 15 2 37Considered 152 69 6 227Released 83 44 – 127Percentage released 54.6 63.8 0.0 55.9

Table 10.6 Prisoners on parole from determinate sentences recalled England and Wales Number/per cent

Year recalledas % of number

on parole

1992 983 13.31993 773 12.91994 300 10.71995/96 205 11.21996/97 233 11.71997/98 190 8.21998/99 233 11.11990/00 250 10.12000/01 267 9.62001/02 329 10.92002/03 420 13.1

185

Table 10.7 Home Detention Curfew eligibility and release figures by sex and ethnic group

England and Wales 2002

Eligible Released Release rate as %

Males and females 55,370 20,525 37.1White 47,038 17,321 36.8Black 4,945 1,767 35.7South Asian 2,359 863 36.6Chinese and other 988 558 56.5Not recorded 40 16 40.0

Males 51,413 18,570 36.1White 43,658 15,610 35.8Black 4,515 1,585 35.1South Asian 2,308 842 36.5Chinese and other 892 517 58.0Not recorded 40 16 40.0

Females 3,957 1,955 49.4White 3,380 1,711 50.6Black 430 182 42.3South Asian 51 21 41.2Chinese and other 96 41 42.7Not recorded – – –

186

Table 10.8 Home Detention Curfew eligibility and release figures by offence and ethnic group



Violence against the personTotal 8,235 3,693 44.8White 7,108 3,264 45.9Black 693 246 35.5South Asian 309 125 40.5Chinese and other 120 54 45.0Not recorded 5 4 80.0

Sexual offencesTotal 1,193 20 1.7White 1,040 15 1.4Black 68 1 1.5South Asian 71 2 2.8Chinese and other 13 2 15.4Not recorded 1 – 0.0

BurglaryTotal 8,577 2,022 23.6White 7,793 1,821 23.4Black 540 124 23.0South Asian 144 40 27.8Chinese and other 91 32 35.2Not recorded 9 5 55.6

RobberyTotal 2,376 916 38.6White 1,753 666 38.0Black 433 145 33.5South Asian 138 54 39.1Chinese and other 52 51 98.1Not recorded – – –

Theft and handlingTotal 11,524 2,797 24.3White 10,027 2,387 23.8Black 869 203 23.4South Asian 395 118 29.9Chinese and other 221 87 39.4Not recorded 12 2 16.7

Fraud and forgeryTotal 2,159 1,262 58.5White 1,300 857 65.9Black 365 183 50.1South Asian 333 112 33.6Chinese and other 160 110 68.8Not recorded 1 – 0.0

Drugs offencesTotal 4,323 2,683 62.1White 3,217 2,139 66.5Black 820 384 46.8South Asian 194 103 53.1Chinese and other 89 55 61.8Not recorded 3 2 66.7

Motoring offencesTotal 9,817 3,801 38.7White 8,669 3,305 38.1Black 670 252 37.6South Asian 360 135 37.5Chinese and other 117 109 93.2Not recorded 1 – 0.0

Other offencesTotal 7,166 3,331 46.5White 6,131 2,867 46.8Black 487 229 47.0South Asian 415 174 41.9Chinese and other 125 58 46.4Not recorded 8 3 37.5

All offencesTotal 55,370 20,525 37.1White 47,038 17,321 36.8Black 4,945 1,767 35.7South Asian 2,359 863 36.6Chinese and other 988 558 56.5Not recorded 40 16 40.0

187

Table 10.9 Home Detention Curfew eligibility and release figures by sentence length



Total 55,370 20,525 37.0

All AUR cases (3 months to less than 12 months) 30,574 10,680 34.93 months or over to less than 4 months 6,439 1,695 26.34 months or over to less than 6 months 11,876 4,055 34.16 months or over to less than 8 months 7,843 2,956 37.78 months or over to less than 12 months 4,416 1,974 44.7

ACR cases (12 months to less than 4 years) 24,796 9,804 39.5

Table 10.10 Home Detention Curfew eligibility and release figures by age group



All ages 55,370 20,525 37.118–20 8,822 3,543 40.221–24 13,120 4,431 33.825–29 11,919 3,929 33.030–39 14,795 5,438 36.840–49 4,771 2,235 46.850–59 1,505 754 50.160 and over 438 190 43.4

Table 10.11 Home Detention Curfew eligibility and release figures by establishment type



Total 55,370 20,525 37.1Locals 26,512 6,330 23.9Closed Trainers 13,148 4,577 34.8Open 6,370 5,701 89.5Remand & Closed YOI’s 8,225 3,044 37.0Open YOI’s 915 767 83.8Other 200 100 50.0

188

Table 10.12 Home Detention Curfew eligibility and release figures by offence type



Total 55,370 20,525 37.1Violence 8,235 3,693 44.8Sexual offences 1,193 20 1.7Burglary 8,577 2,022 23.6Robbery 2,376 916 38.6Theft and handling 11,524 2,797 24.3Fraud and forgery 2,159 1,262 58.5Drugs offences 4,323 2,683 62.1Motoring offences 9,817 3,801 38.7Other 7,166 3,331 46.5

Table 10.13 HDC reasons for recall to prison, 2002


Numbers Per cent

Total 1,478 100.0

Cases not involving new charges 1,247 84.4Breach of HDC conditions 795 53.8Installation failure 2 0.1Monitoring failure 9 0.6Change of circumstances 383 25.9Risk of serious harm 1 0.1Breach of non-HDC licence conditions 57 3.9

Cases involving new charges 231 15.6Breach of HDC conditions 1 0.1Inability to monitor 1 0.1Risk of serious harm – 0.0Charge with new offence 229 15.5

Table 10.14 Summary of Home Detention Curfew eligibility and release figures by gender

England and Wales Number/percentage

1999 2000 2001 2002

Eligible 49,527 55,344 54,064 55,370Males 46,248 51,533 50,303 51,413Females 3,279 3,811 3,761 3,957

Released 14,844 15,533 13,676 20,525Males 13,526 14,029 12,144 18,570Females 1,318 1,504 1,532 1,955

Release rate 30.0 28.1 25.3 37.1Males 29.2 27.2 24.1 36.1Females 40.2 39.5 40.7 49.4

189

CHAPTER 11

PRISON REGIMES, CONDITIONS AND COSTS

Key points

Regimes

● Hours out of cell rose while time spent on purposeful activities fell compared with last year.

● Average time spent on purposeful activity per prisoner was 22.6 hours per week in 2002, 5 per centless than 2001. In open prisons it was much higher: 39.6 hours for adult males, and 40.9 hours foryoung offenders.

● Time spent out of cell averaged 10.5 hours on weekdays and 9.2 hours per day on weekends in 2002,compared with 9.9 hours and 8.6 hours respectively in 2001.

● 7,303 completions of accredited offending behaviour programmes met the KPI target of 7,100 for2002-03.

● Total hours of education study increased by 0.6 per cent between 2001-02 and 2002-03, from 9.79million hours to 9.84 million hours.

● Releases on temporary licence rose between 2001 and 2002 — up 17,610 to 287,732. There wereincreases in the number of facility temporary releases, local visits and compassionate releases, whilethe number of resettlement releases decreased.

Conditions

● 13,445 prisoners were held 2 to a cell designed for 1 in 2002, a 20 per cent in/decrease on the previousyear.

● In 2002-03, 11.7 per cent of samples tested positive under Random Mandatory Drugs Testing,compared with 11.5 per cent in 2001-02 and 12.4 per cent in 2000-01. Most positive tests were forcannabis.

● There were 8 escapes from establishments in 2002 (down from 13 in 2001) and 70 escapes fromescorts (down from 82 in 2001).

● Absconds increased by 13 per cent between 2001 and 2002, from 768 to 864.

● Restraints were used on 1,560 male prisoners and 159 female prisoners in 2002. The most commonform of restraint was confinement to a special cell.

● There were 94 self-inflicted deaths in prisons in 2002, compared with 73 in 2001. The rate per 1,000prisoners increased to 1.3 per 1,000 prisoners in custody in 2002, compared to 1.1 per 1,000 in 2001.

Costs

● The cost per uncrowded place for 2002-03 was £38,753.

● The cost per prisoner for 2002-03 was £36,268.

190

11.1 This chapter presents statistics on prison regimes, conditions and costs. It draws on readily availablestatistics, especially those compiled for the Prison Service Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).Wherever possible trends over time are presented and comparisons between different types ofprisons shown. Calendar year statistics are presented if possible, but many KPI statistics are onlyavailable for financial years and therefore have been shown on that basis. The KPIs are published inthe Prison Service Annual Report and Accounts. In many tables establishments have been groupedby type using the Prison Service convention of putting establishments with more than one role intothe category which represents the primary function of the prison. This differs from tables elsewherein this publication where prisoners are grouped by the part of the establishment in which they reside.The latter groupings do however apply to a few tables in this chapter and where this is the case it hasbeen indicated in the footnotes. These statistics may not be directly comparable to other publishedstatistics due to different time periods and definitions.

Regimes

11.2 In 2002-03 the Prison Service had 3 key performance indicators (KPIs) relating to regimes: hoursspent on purposeful activity, number of prisoners completing accredited offending behaviourprogrammes and number of prisoners completing accredited sex offender treatment programmes.Statistics for these and other regimes measures such as education, work and temporary releases onlicence are shown in Table 11(a) and 11.1 to 11.8.

Hours spent on purposeful activity (Tables 11(a), 11.1 and 11.1a)11.3 Purposeful activity covers education and training courses, employment in workshops, farms,

kitchens, gardens and laundries, induction, resettlement and rehabilitation activities, sports and P.E,religious activities and visits. Table 11.1 shows that the average time spent on purposeful activities in2002 was 22.6 hours per week per prisoner, a 5 per cent decrease compared to 2001 when it was 23.7.The hours spent on purposeful activities in female establishments were on average 8 per cent higherthan in adult male establishments (23.7 hours compared to 22 hours). Young offenderestablishments provided slightly less than female establishments at an average of 23.4 hours a weekfor purposeful activities.

11.4 Open establishments, in keeping with their relatively low security and role in preparing prisoners foroutside life, provided the most hours of purposeful activity: 39.6 hours on average in adult male openestablishments and 40.9 hours in young offender open establishments.

11.5 The KPI target for 2002-03 was for prisoners across the estate to spend on average at least 24 hours aweek in purposeful activity. This was not met as the average was 22.6 hours. The reduction in hours inthe last 2 years reflects, in part, population pressures facing the service.

Time out of cell (Tables 11(a) and 11.1)11.6 In 2002, an average of 10.5 hours on weekdays and 9.2 hours per day on weekends were spent out of

cell. Female establishments provided 11.1 hours out of cell on weekdays and 10.1 hours on weekends.This was more than adult male establishments which recorded 10.1 hours and 8.9 hours respectively.Prisoners in young offender establishments were unlocked slightly less than the average, at 9.9 hourson weekdays and 8.1 hours on weekends. Open adult male establishments, which have the lowestsecurity requirements, had the longest average times unlocked, 17.6 hours on weekdays and 17.4hours on weekends. Overall, time out of cell rose compared with 2001.

Accredited offending behaviour courses (Tables 11(a), 11.2 and 11.3)11.7 Accredited Offending Behaviour Programmes are evidence-based practice: they are those

programmes which have been accredited by a Panel of experts established for the purpose (theCorrectional Services Accreditation Panel) as conforming to principles established by reference tothe existing academic literature on what works in reducing re-offending. There are 11 accreditedoffending behaviour programmes (these are listed at Table 11.3).

11.8 Table 11.2 shows the number of completions back to 1993-94. Completions have risen from 548 in1993-94 to 7,647 in 2002-03, although this still only covers a minority of prisoners.

11.9 In 1996-97 a KPI target for accredited offending behaviour programmes was introduced. Thisincludes the use of an Implementation Quality Rating (IQR) which determines the proportion ofcompletions that an establishment can count towards the KPI target. For example, an establishment

191

that put 200 prisoners through an accredited programme but had an IQR of 80 per cent would onlybe able to count 160 accredited completions against the KPI. The KPI target for 2002-03 was toensure that at least 7,100 prisoners completed programmes accredited as being effective in reducingoffending, of which 950 should be completions of programmes within the Sex Offender TreatmentProgramme family (both figures after IQR adjustment). The overall target was met in 2002-03 with7,303 IQR adjusted completions, but the Sex Offender Treatment target was not met with 879 IQRcompletions achieved.

11.10 Table 11.3 shows the majority of the accredited programmes in 2002-03 took place in male adultestablishments, where the majority of prisoners and, in particular, the majority of sex offenders areheld. Thirteen per cent of all accredited offending behaviour programmes that counted towards the2002-03 KPI took place in young offender establishments and 6 per cent in female establishments.

Learning and skills provision (Tables 11.4, 11.5 and 11.6)11.11 The Prison Service has a National Core Curriculum that concentrates on 4 main elements: basic

skills, information technology, social and life skills and English for speakers of other languages(ESOL). It was developed after consultation with education contractors who provide education inprisons and young offender institutions.

11.12 The core curriculum is delivered in all prison establishments. Its emphasis is on literacy, languageand numeracy in order to address the resettlement needs of the prison population, of which morethan half have serious problems with reading, writing and number.

11.13 All prisons are now required to offer mainstream qualifications as delivered in schools and collegesin the community. Most of these are sub-divided into modules. This means that, as well as a basicskills qualification, short-term prisoners can gain modules towards a full qualification which they cancomplete when they are released. Basic skills are assessed using a national test which is now availableweekly in most prisons. This flexibility makes it easier for prisoners to achieve accreditation orcontinue courses when they are transferred to another establishment and when they are released.

11.14 The wider curriculum is determined locally by the Governor to meet the needs of that particularpopulation and ranges from GCSEs for the academic student to practical courses for those studentswishing to gain vocational qualifications. In addition, the more able students can study for a degreethrough the Open University. There were 448 prisoners registered on undergraduate courses at theOpen University for the academic year 2002-03 across England.

11.15 Prisoners are screened for basic skills near the beginning of their sentence using tests developed forthe Prison Service by the Basic Skills Agency. These measure reading, writing and numeracy skills at3 levels. The levels have been mapped to GNVQ (General National Vocational Qualification) levelsand National Curriculum levels in English and mathematics, as follows:

Basic Skills Standard in reading, National Curriculum in English andwriting and numeracy* GNVQ Mathematics

Entry level — Level 2/3 (7 or 8 year old)Level 1 Level 1 Level 4/5 (11 year old)Level 2 Level 2 Level 6

*Basic Skills Agency research indicates that people with entry level communication skills (reading and writing) have access toonly one in 50 intermediate and lower level jobs and even with level 1 standard access would be limited to one in 25 jobs.

11.16 Table 11.4 gives results for around 96,000 prisoners tested for at least one basic skill in 2002-03.Overall the proportion of prisoners whose results were at level one and below in reading was 55 percent, in spelling was 79 per cent, in punctuation was 86 per cent and in numeracy was 69 per cent. Thelowest levels and thus greatest educational needs were in the young offender establishments, where67 per cent tested at level 1 or below in reading, 87 per cent tested at level 1 or below in spelling, 91per cent tested at level 1 or below in punctuation, and 78 per cent at level 1 or below in numeracy.

11.17 Average hours of education delivered per full-time student rose slightly to 5.8 hours in 2002-03 (seeTable 11.5) — up from 5.6 hours in 2001-02. Reflecting greater needs, average hours are highest inyoung offender establishments (an average of 6.9 hours per prisoner per week in 2002).

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11.18 Table 11.6 shows total hours of student study and teaching hours bought (excluding vocational skillstraining) increased in 2002-03(1) when compared to 2001-02. Class sizes increased slightly comparedto 2001-02 to 7.5.

Work11.19 A range of work is provided in prisons to keep prisoners occupied and provide skills and experience

that may be useful in gaining employment on release. Areas of work include industrial workshops,farms, catering, cleaning, domestic duties and building maintenance. In 2002-03 11,579 prisonerswere employed in workshops (an increase of 6 per cent compared to 2001-02); and 1,960 wereemployed in Agriculture & Horticulture (an increase of 12 per cent compared to 2001-02).

Temporary release (Tables 11.7, 11.8 and 11.9)11.20 There were 287,732 releases on temporary licence in 2002, up from 270,122 in 2001, an increase of 7

per cent. Compared with 2001, releases on temporary licence have increased in adult male andfemale establishments (up 7 and 12 per cent respectively). Releases on temporary licence fell inyoung offender establishments, by 10 per cent.

11.21 Release on temporary licence can be granted for a number of reasons, e.g. for working outside, aspreparation for release, for making reparations and for compassionate reasons such as the death of aclose relative. Table 11.8 illustrates that facility licences (mainly work, reparations, education andtraining) are the most commonly given licences and have increased substantially in recent yearslargely due to the introduction of reparations licences and the working out scheme. Licences forresettlement are the next most commonly given licence, followed by local visits. Resettlementlicences decreased compared to 2001 whereas facility licences, those issued for local visits andcompassionate releases increased.

11.22 The number of temporary release failures increased by 15 per cent in 2002 (see Table 11.9) butremained at a very low rate when compared to the number of licences issued — the 319 failures in2002 representing a failure rate of 0.1 per cent.

Conditions

11.23 Six aspects of prison conditions are covered: overcrowding, mandatory drug testing, escapes,absconds, the use of restraints and suicides.

Overcrowding (Table 11.10)11.24 This is measured by the Prison Service in 2 ways: as the number of prisoners held 2 or 3 to a cell

designed for 1 and as the proportion of the population above the uncrowded capacity (the former isthe KPI measure, expressed as percentage of the average population). Since 1994-95 no prisonershave been held 3 to a cell designed for 1, but the numbers held 2 to a cell designed for 1 have risensteadily in recent years as the prison population has increased. In 2002 the number rose with anaverage 13,445 prisoners held 2 to a cell designed for 1 — a 20 per cent increase on the 11,204 held 2 toa cell on average in 2001. The KPI target for 2002-03 was to ensure that across the estate, on average,no more than 18 per cent of the prison population were held 2 to a cell. This was not achieved, with anaverage of 20.4 per cent.

11.25 Table 11.10, which shows calendar year statistics, shows that 91 per cent of the prisoners held 2 to acell in 2002 were in adult male establishments, 7 per cent were in young offender establishments and2 per cent in female establishments. Local prisons and remand centres have the greatest degree ofovercrowding (proportion of population above uncrowded capacity).

Mandatory Drug Testing (Tables 11.11, 11.12 and 11.13)11.26 Mandatory drug testing (MDT) has been operating in all establishments since the beginning of April

1996. Under the random element of the scheme, every establishment is required to test a proportion(5 or 10 per cent) of their prison population for a range of drugs every month. During the 1996-97financial year, 24.4 per cent of those selected for random testing proved positive for at least 1 drug.This dropped from 1997-98 through to 2001-02 where it stood at 11.5 per cent, but increased slightlyin 2002-03 to 11.7 per cent. The KPI for 2002-03 was to ensure that the rate of positive tests was nomore than 10 per cent and this has not been met.

(1) From 1999, data available for financial years only.

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11.27 Tables 11.11 and 11.12 show the rate of positive tests for each drug tested by month since 2001-02.The highest proportion of positive tests were for cannabis followed by opiates and thenbenzodiazepines (rates of positive tests for the financial year 2002-03 were 7.6 per cent, 3.6 per centand 1.4 per cent respectively).

11.28 Table 11.13 shows random MDT results by type of establishment for 2002-03. The highest rates ofpositive tests were for adult male local, adult male and YOI open establishments. The lowest rateswere in the closed training establishments, young offender closed establishments and femaleestablishments.

11.29 MDT is only one element of the wider Prison Service drug strategy, which is designed to produce amore integrated and balanced approach to tackling drug misuse. The Prison Service hasimplemented a number of measures to reduce the level of drug misuse in prisons. These includeintroduction of a range of measures to improve perimeter security and security of visits, increaseduse of active and passive dogs to deter and discover drug smugglers and, from 1 April 1999, thebanning of visitors caught smuggling for a minimum of 3 months, with a further 3 months of visits inclosed conditions. The Prison Service has also developed a major new drug treatment and supportframework which includes; the launch of CARATs, an integrated, counselling, assessment, referral,advice and through-care service available in all establishments since October 1999, the establishmentof detoxification programmes in all local prisons and remand centres and, by the end of December2001, 60 intensive treatment programmes were in place. Access to voluntary testing for all prisonersready to prove that they are drug free is an integral feature of the Prison Service drug strategy.

Escapes (Tables 11.14 and 11.15)11.30 Escapes which have a minimum duration of 15 minutes or lead to further charges are measured as a

Key Performance Indicator (from 2000-01, the number of escapes from contracted-out escortscounted as a separate indicator). In 2002 there were 8 KPI escapes (all from adult maleestablishments) from establishments compared with 13 in 2001.

11.31 There were 70 KPI escapes from escorts in 2002, 12 less than in 2001.

Absconds (Table 11.16)11.32 Inmates “abscond” when they unlawfully gain their liberty by an abuse of trust, without having to

overcome any physical security restraint and at a time when they were not in the presence of anofficer specifically assigned to guard them. In 2002 there were 864 absconds, of which 647 (75 percent) were from adult male establishments, 14 (2 per cent) were from female establishments and 203(23 per cent) were from young offender establishments.

11.33 Compared to 1997, the number of absconds in 2002 represents a fall of 21 per cent while, over thesame time period, the average prison population has increased by 16 per cent. Open establishmentshad the highest numbers of absconds as would be expected.

Use of restraints (Tables 11.17 and 11.18)11.34 It is sometimes necessary to restrain a violent or difficult prisoner. Forms of restraint were used on

1,560 male prisoners and 159 female prisoners in 2002. Twenty six per cent of females wererestrained on medical grounds compared with 0.8 per cent of males. The greatest use of restraintswas made in local prisons, followed by closed training prisons. Numbers of prisoners restrained fellby 13 per cent compared to 2001; the number of males restrained was the lowest level in the last 10years.

11.35 In 2002, special and unfurnished cells were the most frequently used form of restraint (used 2,085times for male prisoners and 187 times for female prisoners). Body restraints were used relativelyfew times and their use has declined sharply since 1996: 38 applications were made to use body beltsand no applications were made to use handcuffs in 2002.

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Self-inflicted deaths in custody (Tables 11.19 and 11.20)11.36 The Prison Service classifies prisoners deaths as self-inflicted for all coroners verdicts of suicide,

death by misadventure, open verdicts and accidental deaths. This broad definition gives the benefitof doubt where it is not clear whether or not the inmate intended to take his or her own life andensures that the Service can learn lessons from all such tragedies. In 2002 there were 94 self-inflicteddeaths of inmates (85 males and 9 females) compared with 72 in 2001. The rate of self inflicted deathsper 1,000 prisoners increased from 1.1 in 2001 to 1.3 in 2002. The number of self-inflicted deaths in2002 was the highest number in the last 10 years.

11.37 Of the self-inflicted deaths in 2002, 75 (80 per cent) were in adult male establishments, 9 (10 per cent)were in female establishments, and 10 (11 per cent) were in young offender establishments.

Costs

11.38 The KPI target for the cost per uncrowded place (£, cash terms) in 2002-03 was £38,743. The KPIachievement for 2002-03 was £38,753.

11.39 For 2002-03, the KPI target for average cost per prisoner was set at £36,539 per prisoner and was metwith an average of £36,268 per prisoner.

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Table 11(a) Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), financial year 2002/03

Key Performance Indicator Target Actual Result

KPI To ensure that no Category A prisoners escape fromprisons

– – Met

KPI The number of escapes from prisons and prisonservice escorts expressed as a proportion of theprison population

0.05% 0.024% Met

KPI The number of escapes from contracted out escortsexpressed as a ratio per 20,000 prisoners handled

<1:20,000 1:39,986 Met

KPI The number of positive adjuducations of assault onprisoners, staff and others expressed as a proportionof the average prison population

9.0% 9.10% Not Met

KPI The rate of positive random drug testing 10.0% 11.70% Not Met

KPI The number of prisoners held two to a cell designedfor one expressed as a proportion of the averageprison population

18.00% 20.40% Not Met

KPI The average number of hours per week whichprisoners spend in purposeful activity

24.0 22.6 Not Met

KPI The rate of self inflicted deaths per 100,000 of theaverage prison population

<105.0 146.9 Not Met

KPI The number of awards achieved by prisonersincluding basic skills and key work skills

Basic Skills Entry Level 6,000 9,179 MetBasic Skills Level 1 12,000 16,989 MetBasic Skills Level 2 10,800 15,145 Met

Key Work Skills awards 45,000 89,201 Met

KPI The number of prisoners completing programmesaccredited as effective in reducing reoffending

7,100 7,303 Met

KPI The number of prisoners completing accredited sexoffender treatment programmes

950 879 Not Met

KPI Prisoners discharged with a job, training or educationplace, including FRESHSTART job outcomes

28,200 32,993 Met

KPI The average cost per prisoner place £38,743 £38,753 Not Met

KPI The average cost per prisoner £36,539 £36,258 Met

KPI The average number of working days per staffmember lost to staff sickness

9.0 14.7 Not Met

KPI The number of minority ethnic staff in the PrisonService, expressed as a proportion of the totalworkforce

4.50% 5.10% Met

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Table 11.1 Purposeful activity and time out of cell, by type of establishment(1)

England and WalesMales and females Number of hours

Establishment type

Purposeful activity(average hours

per week)

Hours out of cell(average

weekday hours)(average daily

weekend hours)

2001 2002 2001 2002 2001 2002

All establishments: 23.7 22.6 9.9 10.5 8.6 9.2

Adult male establishments: 23.5 22.0 10.1 10.1 8.8 8.9Local Prisons 19.7 18.1 8.7 8.1 7.3 7.1Open Training (Cat D) 38.7 39.6 17.1 17.6 16.9 17.4Closed Training (Cat C) 25.8 25.3 10.5 10.8 9.5 9.3Closed Training (Cat B) 26.1 24.7 10.6 10.4 8.8 8.5Closed Training (Dispersal) 19.2 19.0 9.2 9.2 7.5 7.5

Young offender establishments(2): 24.2 23.4 8.7 9.9 6.9 8.1Open YOI 40.7 40.9 12.4 13.0 12.4 12.9Closed YOI 23.4 22.3 8.5 9.5 6.7 7.4Juvenile YOI 27.8 27.1 10.2 10.4 8.5 8.9Remand Centre 21.4 22.6 7.3 7.0 4.8 5.6

Female establishments: 25.1 23.7 10.3 11.1 9.5 10.1(1) Establishments have been categorised according to their main role only. Establishments that have more than one role have been

placed in the category that represents the primary function of the prison. For example, the female wing at Winchester has beenincluded as part of the male ‘Local’ estate.

(2) Male young offenders only. Female young offenders have been included in the ‘Female establishments’ category.

Table 11.1(a) Purposeful activity: 1992–93 to 2002–03Weekly

Average Hours

1992–93 23.71993–94 24.71994–95 26.21995–96 25.21996–97 23.81997–98 23.31998–99 22.81999–00 23.22000–01 23.72001–02 23.42002–03 22.6

Table 11.2 Offending Behaviour Programme completions, by type of programme

England and WalesMales and females Number of completed programmes

Financial years

Sex OffenderTreatment Programme

(All types) All Other Programmes(2)

All accreditedprogrammes

Completed KPI(1) Completed KPI(1) Completed KPI(1)

1993–94 439 – 109 – 548 –1994–95 554 – 285 – 839 –1995–96 439 – 746 – 1,185 –1996–97 680 680 770 699 1,450 1,3791997–98 736 671 1,918 1,569 2,654 2,2401998–99 664 589 2,837 2,540 3,501 3,1291999–00 669 585 4,355 4,079 5,024 4,6642000–01 851 786 5,665 5,200 6,516 5,9862001–02 867 839 5,842 5,566 6,709 6,4052002–03 948 879 6,699 6,424 7,647 7,303(1) KPI completions — these are the actual completions that have been adjusted by the Implementation Quality Rating to give the

figure which can be counted against the KPI (see earlier text for fuller explanation).(2) Other accredited programmes is made up of reasoning and rehabilitation. Think First Inside (aka problem solving), thinking

skills/enhanced thinking skills, CALM, CSCP and RAPt (an accredited drugs programme).

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Table 11.3 Offending behaviour programme completions, by type of establishment(1), financial year2002–03

England and WalesMales and females Number of completed programmes

Establishment type

Sex OffenderTreatment Programme

(All types) All Other Programmes(2)

All accreditedprogrammes

Completed KPI(1) Completed KPI(1) Completed KPI(1)

All establishments: 948 879 6,699 6,424 7,647 7,303

Adult male establishments: 895 831 5,355 5,117 6,250 5,948Local Prisons 113 98 1,734 1,680 1,847 1,778Open Training (Cat D) 42 40 298 294 340 334Closed Training (Cat C) 424 390 2,070 1,984 2,494 2,374Closed Training (Cat B) 157 151 976 885 1,133 1,036Closed Training (Dispersal) 159 152 277 275 436 426

Young offender establishments(4): 53 48 900 877 953 925Open YOI – – 168 161 168 161Closed YOI 53 48 636 623 689 671Remand Centre – – 96 93 96 93

Female establishments: – – 444 430 444 430(1) Establishments have been categorised according to their main role only. Establishments that have more than one role have been


(2) KPI completions — these are the actual completions that have been adjusted by the Implementation Quality Rating to give thefigure which can be counted against the KPI (see earlier text for fuller explanation).

(3) As the KPI figures have been individually rounded, the sum of the components may not equal the totals/sub-totals shown.(4) Male young offenders only. Female young offenders have been included in the ‘Female establishments’ category.(5) Other accredited programmes is made up of reasoning and rehabilitation. Think First Inside (aka problem solving), thinking

skills/enhanced thinking skills, CALM, CSCP and RAPt (an accredited drugs programme).

Accredited offending behaviour programmesThe Sex Offender Treatment Programme family—consisting of:(a) The Core Programme (revised and re-accredited in March 2000)(b) The Booster Programme(c) The Adapted Programme (accredited March 1998)(d) The Extended Programme (accredited March 1998)(e) The Rolling Programme (provisionally accredited September 2000)The Reasoning and Rehabilitation ProgrammeThe Problem Solving Programme (accredited December 1997)The Enhanced Thinking Skills ProgrammeCognitive Self-Change Programme (accredited September 2000)Controlling Anger and Learning to Manage It (accredited September 2000)RAPt (Rahabilitation of Addicted Prisoners Trust) (drugs programme accredited in 2002–03)

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Table 11.4 Results of the basic skills assessment screening tests, financial year 2002–03

England and WalesMales and females

Establishment type(2) TestNumber

tested

Standard (%)(1)

Belowlevel 1

Atlevel 1

Abovelevel 1

All establishments: Spelling 86,015 46.1% 33.0% 20.6%Punctuation 80,628 61.6% 24.2% 14.2%Reading 96,589 36.9% 18.2% 44.9%Numeracy 95,277 42.9% 25.9% 31.2%

Adult male establishments: Spelling 65,223 46.5% 32.1% 21.4%Punctuation 60,656 62.9% 22.1% 15.0%Reading 71,787 36.9% 15.5% 47.6%Numeracy 69,390 41.3% 24.2% 34.4%

Young offender establishments(3): Spelling 14,742 47.9% 38.8% 13.2%Punctuation 14,233 60.2% 31.2% 8.7%Reading 17,721 38.7% 28.5% 32.8%Numeracy 18,442 46.4% 31.7% 21.9%

Female establishments: Spelling 6,050 37.8% 33.0% 29.2%Punctuation 5,739 51.4% 29.0% 19.6%Reading 7,081 32.9% 19.5% 47.6%Numeracy 7,445 48.5% 27.4% 24.1%

(1) Standard: Level 1 is about GCSE standard, above level 1 is higher while below level 1 indicates the need for remedial work.(2) Establishments have been categorised according to their main role only. Establishments that have more than one role have been

placed in the category that represents the primary function of the prison. For example, the female wing at Winchester has beenincluded as part of the ‘Adult male establishments’ category.


Table 11.5 Average hours of education(1) per full-time student, by type of establishment

England and WalesMales and females Number of hours

Average hours of eduction deliveredEstablishment type

2000–01 2001–02 2002–03

All establishments: 5.51 5.61 5.82

Adult male establishments:Local Prisons 5.01 5.94 5.72Open Training (Cat D) 4.87 4.94 5.38Closed Training (Cat C) 4.97 4.88 5.59Closed Training (Cat B) 4.57 4.67 4.55Closed Training (Dispersal) 5.31 5.27 5.19

Young offender establishments(2):Juvenile YOI 8.32 7.20 6.77YOI 7.50 7.01 6.87

Female establishments: 5.81 5.65 6.60(1) Covers education hours delivered through the education contract: they exclude education delivered in workshops and independent

study.(2) Male young offenders only. Female young offenders have been included in the ‘Female establishments’ category.

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Table 11.6 Number of education hours(1) delivered in prison establishments

England and WalesMales and females Number of hours/class size

YearTotal hours ofstudent study

% variance onprevious year

Total teachinghours bought

% variance onprevious year

Average classsize

1996 8,947,305 −5.0 1,169,717 −6.1 7.71997 8,879,747 −0.8 1,117,214 −4.5 8.01998 9,483,889 +6.8 1,213,562 +8.6 7.91999 9,668,535 +1.9 1,354,165 +11.6 7.42000–01(2) 9,698,170 +0.3 1,339,177 −1.1 7.32001–02 9,786,427 +1.2 1,362,393 +0.6 7.32002–03 9,842,939 +0.6 1,448,770 +6.3 7.5(1) Excludes vocational training.(2) From 2000, data only available on a financial year basis.

Table 11.7 Number of releases on temporary licence, by type of establishment(1)

England and Wales Males and females Number of licences

Establishment type 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

All establishments: 177,885 164,521 181,660 227,078 255,886 256,179 256,837 270,122 287,732

Adult male establishments: 149,329 148,162 167,785 210,183 232,865 230,341 231,130 236,463 252,921Local Prisons 22,142 24,771 14,575 8,876 9,833 8,535 8,800 5,996 6,948Open Training 36,272 34,664 55,466 73,725 87,876 88,586 99,727 114,069 134,461Closed Training 90,915 88,727 97,744 127,582 135,156 133,220 122,603 116,398 111,512

Adult female establishments 15,917 9,204 8,436 10,540 14,445 16,836 15,612 20,594 22,997

Young offenderestablishments: 12,639 7,155 5,439 6,355 8,576 9,002 10,095 13,065 11,806

Open YOI 2,782 1,974 1,773 2,804 2,829 3,720 6,479 8,565 7,404Closed YOI 7,624 3,939 2,681 2,404 4,109 4,096 2,227 2,935 3,058Juvenile YOI 1,196 512 241 426 661 972 1,328 1,491 1,251Remand Centres 1,037 730 744 721 977 214 61 74 93

(1) Prisoners have been categorised according to the part of the establishment in which they reside. Inmates at Bullingdon, for example,will have been included in either of the ‘Local’ or ‘Closed Training’ categories, as appropriate.

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Table 11.8 Number(1) of releases on temporary licence, by type of licence

England and WalesMales and females Number of licences

Establishment type 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

All licences: 177,885 164,521 181,660 227,078 255,886 256,179 256,837 270,122 287,732

Local visit 54,012 32,812 36,095 44,984 49,116 45,543 46,406 49,627 50,452

Resettlement: 93,355 74,544 63,821 74,879 79,748 70,726 66,520 62,514 49,195accommodation 348 310 298 260 246 142 160 113 117community service 39,040 33,149 31,193 38,376 42,580 37,094 32,158 25,847 18,465employment 1,942 10,153 12,493 18,270 20,569 20,426 21,528 24,034 19,903family ties 29,006 17,209 14,009 15,186 14,412 11,411 11,052 10,509 9,148pre-parole release 21,543 12,687 4,919 1,995 961 543 535 525 513probation service 1,476 622 377 365 414 536 595 942 555in hostel etc. – 414 532 427 566 574 492 544 494

Facility: 17,180 49,098 74,585 99,597 119,875 130,894 135,501 149,774 177,431reparation – 9,948 19,906 31,478 34,598 31,455 26,083 24,659 29,891training and education 9,525 13,033 11,320 12,261 12,415 13,055 14,043 16,624 14,784working out – 22,040 41,310 54,164 71,667 85,134 94,019 107,120 131,088other 7,655 4,077 2,049 1,694 1,195 1,250 1,356 1,371 1,668

Compassionate: 13,338 8,067 7,159 7,618 7,147 9,016 8,411 8,207 10,654carer – 85 177 229 167 798 664 515 848deaths 933 467 418 389 404 533 408 401 343family needs 5,101 1,655 927 649 775 981 551 421 436family occasions 26 105 133 188 112 49 34 23 18medical 7,278 5,755 5,504 6,163 5,670 5,963 5,816 5,773 7,458religious service(2) – – – – 19 692 938 1,074 1,551

(1) In November 1994, the issue of temporary licences was subject to a review of risk assessment and, in May 1995, the classificationcategories of temporary licences were revised. As a result of these changes, pre-1995 data may not be directly comparable with thatfor later years.

(2) Licence category introduced in September 1998.

Table 11.9 Number(1) of temporary release failures

England and Wales Males and females Number of reported failures

1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

All establishments: 2,996 2,182 637 448 564 484 517 318 278 319(1) In November 1994, the issue of temporary licences was subject to a review of risk assessment and, in May 1995, the classification

categories of temporary licences were revised. As a result of these changes, pre-1995 data may not be directly comparable with thatfor later years.

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Table 11.10 Overcrowding in prisons, by type of establishment(1)

England and Wales 2002Males and females Average number and percentage

Establishment type

Average number ofprisoners heldtwo to a cell

designed for one % of population

All establishments: 13,445 22.0Adult male establishments: 12,173 24.5

Local Prisons 10,477 42.0Open Training (Cat D) – 0.0Closed Training (Cat C) 1,568 9.8Closed Training (Cat B) 128 2.8Closed Training (Dispersal) – 0.0

Young offender establishments(2):Open YOI – 0.0Closed YOI 845 13.9Remand Centre 122 60.3Juvenile YOI – 0.0

Female establishments: 304 10.6(1) Establishments have been categorised according to their main role only. Establishments that have more than one role have been



Table 11.11 Mandatory Drug Testing(1): percentage testing positive by drug groupApril 2001–March 2002, all establishments

England and WalesMales and females Percentage testing positive

Drug group Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Overall

Cannabis 7.4 7.9 6.9 6.4 6.2 5.3 5.7 5.9 6.8 7.0 8.2 8.1 6.8Opiates 4.6 5.5 5.0 4.8 4.7 4.8 4.3 4.6 4.5 4.4 4.0 3.3 4.6Cocaine 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.2 0.1 0.4 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.2 0.2Benzodiazepines 1.1 1.3 0.8 1.2 1.3 1.0 1.0 1.2 1.3 1.2 1.5 1.7 1.2Methadone 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0Amphetamines 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.1Barbiturates 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0LSD 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0Buprenorphine(2) 2.0 2.3 0.9 1.4 1.0 0.5 1.3 0.9 0.7 1.2 1.4 0.7 1.2(1) Data refers to results of random testing only.(2) Buprenorphine only tested for in certain establishments. The precentages quoted represent the number of positive tests as a

proportion of those MDT samples that were tested for this particular drug – see earlier text for fuller explanation.

Table 11.12 Mandatory Drug Testing(1): percentage testing positive by drug groupApril 2002–March 2003, all establishments

England and WalesMales and females Percentage testing positive

Drug group Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Overall

Cannabis 7.3 7.3 7.3 8.0 6.9 6.8 7.4 7.9 9.0 7.1 8.2 8.1 7.6Opiates 3.1 3.2 3.3 4.5 3.1 3.5 3.6 4.5 4.5 3.9 3.3 3.1 3.6Cocaine 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.1 0.3 0.3 0.2Benzodiazepines 1.4 1.4 1.3 1.3 1.0 1.2 1.6 1.7 1.5 1.3 1.6 1.1 1.4Methadone 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0Amphetamines 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0Barbiturates 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0LSD 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0Buprenorphine(2) 0.7 1.1 1.5 1.6 0.9 1.7 2.3 2.7 2.4 2.4 3.2 3.4 2.0(1) Data refers to results of random testing only.(2) Buprenorphine only tested for in certain establishments. The percentages quoted represent the number of positive tests as a

proportion of those MDT samples that were tested for this particular drug – see earlier text for fuller explanation.

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Table 11.13 Mandatory Drug Testing, by type of establishment(1), financial year 2002–03

England and WalesMales and females Number of tests/percentage tested positive

Number Number tested Percentage testedEstablishment type tested positive positive

All establishments: 54,513 6,388 11.7

Adult male establishments: 43,579 5,466 12.5Local Prisons 18,221 2,887 15.8Open Training (Cat D) 3,188 489 15.3Closed Training (Cat C) 14,224 1,539 10.8Closed Training (Cat B) 5,428 449 8.3Closed Training (Dispersal) 2,518 102 4.1

Young offender establishments(2): 7,120 643 9.0Open YOI 462 68 14.7Closed YOI 5,317 445 8.4Remand Centre 1,341 130 9.7

Female establishments: 3,814 279 7.3(1) Establishments have been categorised according to their main role only. Establishments that have more than one role have been



Table 11.14 Number of escapes from prison establishments, by type of establishment(1)

England and WalesMales and females Number of escapes

Establishment type 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

All establishments: 42 23 24 32 16 13 8

Male establishments: 35 18 10 24 10 9 8Local Prisons 2 1 2 7 1 1 4Open Training (Cat D) – – – – – – –Closed Training (Cat C) 33 16 8 17 9 5 3Closed Training (Cat B) – – – – – 1 1Closed Training (Dispersal) – 1 – – – 2 –

Young Offender Institutions(2) 5 4 13 3 5 4 –

Remand Centres 2 – – 1 1 – –

Female establishments: – 1 1 4 – – –(1) Establishments have been categorised according to their main role only. Establishments that have more than one role have been



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Table 11.15 Number of escapes from escort

England and WalesMales and females Number of escapes

Type 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

All types: 94 81 62 64 66 82 70

Magistrate Court 55 57 59 44 43 65 37Other 39 24 3 20 23 17 33

Table 11.16 Number of absconds from prison establishments, by type of establishment(1)

England and WalesMales and females Number of absconds

Establishment type 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

All establishments: 1,708 1,550 975 1,134 1,100 942 880 812 768 864

Male establishments: 1,149 973 558 684 667 572 555 594 534 647Local Prisons 54 41 14 8 3 8 – 7 9 8Open Training (Cat D) 841 735 419 572 564 444 444 431 404 505Closed Training (Cat C) 185 146 84 81 78 108 97 143 103 120Closed Training (Cat B) 69 51 41 23 22 12 14 13 3 14Closed Training

(Dispersal) – – – – – – – – 15 –

Young offenderestablishments(2): 463 391 309 329 282 205 198 155 172 203Open YOI 309 317 293 315 270 199 187 151 170 201Closed YOI 134 61 14 8 9 6 11 4 2 2Remand Centre 20 13 2 6 3 – – – – –

Female establishments: 96 186 108 121 151 165 127 63 62 14(1) Establishments have been categorised according to their main role only. Establishments that have more than one role have been



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Table 11.17 Persons restrained and means of restraint applied to violent or refractory prison inmates, bysex and type of establishment

England and Wales 2002Males and females Number of persons/applications

All Type of establishmentGrounds for restraint and types ofmeans of restraint used establish-

mentJuvenile

Remand Local Youngcentres prisons Training prisons Young offender offender

Open Closed Open Closed

MalesAll males restrained: 1,560 144 625 – 426 – 207 158On medical grounds by

direction of the medicalofficer(1) 13 1 9 – 2 – 1 –

On non-medical grounds 1,547 143 616 – 424 – 206 158

Means of restraint:On medical grounds

Loose canvas jacket(2) – – – – – – – –Protective rooms for

temporaryconfinement(3) 82 1 78 – 2 – 1 –

On non-medical groundsBody belt(2)(4) 38 3 20 – 11 – 4 –Handcuffs(2)(4) – – – – – – – –Ankle straps(2)(4) – – – – – – – –Special cells 1,613 144 636 – 470 – 198 165Unfurnished cells 472 26 212 – 78 – 66 90Special cells/unfurnished

cells 2,085 170 848 – 548 – 264 255

FemalesAll females restrained: 159 – 59 – 86 – 14 –On medical grounds by

direction of the medicalofficer(1) 41 – 7 – 33 – 1 –On non-medical grounds 118 – 52 – 53 – 13 –

Means of restraint:On medical grounds

Loose canvas jacket(2) 72 – – – 71 – 1 –Protective rooms for

temporaryconfinement(3) 146 – 9 – 136 – 1 –

On non-medical groundsBody belt(2)(4) 2 – – – 2 – – –Handcuffs(2)(4) – – – – – – – –Ankle straps(2)(4) – – – – – – – –Special cells 115 – 66 – 40 – 9 –Unfurnished cells 72 – 21 – 43 – 8 –Special cells/unfurnished

cells 187 – 87 – 83 – 17 –(1) Under Rule 46(6), Prison Rules 1964, Rule 49(6) Young Offender Institution Rules, 1988. Period of confinement exceeded

24 hours.(2) Number of applications.(3) Number of times used where the period of confinement exceeded 24 hours.(4) Under Rule 46(1), Prison Rules 1964; Rule 49(1), Young Offender Institution Rules, 1988.(5) Under Rule 45, Prison Rules 1964: Rule 48, Young Offender Institution Rules, 1988. Number of times used.(6) Includes juvenile institutions.

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Table 11.18 Persons restrained and means of restraint applied to violent or refractory prison inmates

England and WalesMales and females Number of persons/applications

Grounds for restraintsand means ofrestraints used 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

MalesAll males restrained: 1,990 2,408 3,125 2,848 2,846 2,606 2,242 1,865 1,632 1,839 1,560

On medical grounds(1) 262 190 249 220 308 472 287 206 38 3 13On non-medical grounds 1,728 2,218 2,876 2,628 2,538 2,134 1,955 1,659 1,594 1,836 1,547

MalesMeans of restraint: 2,640 3,141 4,058 3,670 3,593 3,340 2,881 2,447 2,225 2,640 2,058

On medical groundsLoose canvas jacket(2) – – – – – – – – – 13 –Protective rooms for

temporaryconfinement(1) 319 227 290 258 375 565 337 234 44 3 82

On non-medical groundsBody belt(2) 57 90 91 96 87 53 45 54 47 57 38Handcuffs(2) 123 99 32 35 88 4 13 23 2 – –Ankle straps(2) 1 7 7 7 3 3 1 – – – –Special cells/unfurnished

cells (other thanprotective rooms) fortemporaryconfinement(3) 2,140 2,718 3,638 3,274 3,040 2,715 2,485 2,136 2,132 2,567 2,019

FemalesAll females restrained: 68 96 82 104 81 90 73 91 56 131 159

On medical grounds(1) 20 35 24 49 28 25 25 30 2 6 41On non-medical grounds 48 61 58 55 53 65 48 61 54 125 118

(1) Under Rule 46(6), Prison Rules 1964, Rule 49(6) Young Offender Institution Rules, 1988. Period of confinement exceeded24 hours.

(2) Number of applications.(3) Number of times used where the period of confinement exceeded 24 hours.

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Table 11.19 Number of self-inflicted deaths in prisons, by type of establishment(1)

England and WalesMales and females Number of self-inflicted deaths

Establishmenttype 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

Allestablishments: 41 47 62 59 64 70 83 91 81 72 94

Maleestablishments: 33 44 57 53 55 56 72 71 64 56 75Local Prisons 22 34 40 35 41 40 62 60 53 44 54Open Training

(Cat D) – – – – 1 – – – – – –Closed

Training(Cat C) 5 2 6 8 5 5 3 8 5 5 4

ClosedTraining(Cat B) 4 3 9 5 5 10 5 1 6 3 6

ClosedTraining(Dispersal) 2 5 2 5 3 1 2 2 – 4 11

Young offenderestablishments(2): 6 2 4 4 7 11 8 11 9 10 10Open YOI – – – – – – – – – – –Closed YOI 2 1 1 2 5 5 2 8 6 5 5Remand

Centre 4 1 3 2 2 6 6 3 3 5 5

Femaleestablishments: 2 1 1 2 1 1 3 4 8 6 9

Prisoners underescort – – – – 1 2 – 5 – 1 –

(1) Establishments have been categorised according to their main role only. Establishments that have more than one role have beenplaced in the category that represents the primary function of the prison. For example, the female wing at Winchester has beenincluded as part of the male ‘Local’ estate.


Table 11.20 Number of self-inflicted deaths in prisons, by gender

England and WalesMales and females Number of self-inflicted deaths

Gender 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

Males andfemales 41 47 62 59 64 70 83 91 81 73 94Males 39 46 61 57 62 67 80 86 73 67 85Females 2 1 1 2 2 3 3 5 8 6 9

Rate per 1,000prisoners incustody 0.89 1.05 1.27 1.16 1.16 1.15 1.27 1.40 1.25 1.10 1.30

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CHAPTER 12

PRISON-RELATED HOME OFFICE RESEARCH AND STATISTICAL PUBLICATIONS

This chapter contains brief summaries of Home Office research and statistical publications on prison-related topics that have been issued since 2000. The chapter is structured around ten broad themes:

● Prison statistics and population projections

● Reconviction studies

● Lifer panels and Parole

● Women and young people in custody

● Electronic monitoring

● Miscellaneous reports

● Finance

● The Crime Reduction Programme

● Section 95

● Criminal justice systems

Each section is in chronological order, starting with the most recent publication.

Prison statistics and population projections

World Prison Population List (fourth edition). Roy Walmsley. Research Findings 188. 2003.The World Prison Population List gives details of the number of prisoners held in some 205 independentcountries and dependent territories. It shows the differences in the level of imprisonment across the worldand makes possible an estimate of the world prison population total. It updates Research Findings 166 (seebelow).

Prison statistics England and Wales, 2001. Home Office. 2003This volume provides a detailed statistical breakdown of the prison population in England and Wales in2001.

The prison population in 2001: a statistical review. Rachel Councell and Jide Olagundoye. ResearchFindings 195. 2003.This Findings paper summarises the volume ‘Prison statistics England and Wales, 2001’.

Projections of long term trends in the prison population to 2009. Rachel Councell and John Simes. HomeOffice Statistical Bulletin 14/02. 2002.This bulletin outlines the projections of the prison population under 4 different scenarios: first, on the basisof increasing custody rates and sentence lengths; second and third, assuming custody rates and sentencelengths rise at half the rate seen in the first scenario; and fourth, on the basis of custody rates and sentencelengths remaining at 2002 levels. All scenarios include the same estimates for policy initiatives except fornarrowing the justice gap where 2 are used.

World Prison Population List (third edition). Roy Walmsley. Research Findings 166. 2002.The World Prison Population List gives details of the number of prisoners held in some 200 independentcountries and dependent territories. It shows the differences in the level of imprisonment across the worldand makes possible an estimate of the world prison population total. It updates Research Findings 116 (seebelow).

Projections of long term trends in the prison population to 2008. Carly Gray and Mike Elkins. Home OfficeStatistical Bulletin 8/01. 2001.The bulletin outlines the projections of the prison population under three different scenarios: first, on thebasis of increasing custody rates; second, assuming custody rates rise at half the rate seen in the firstscenario; and third, on the basis of custody rates and sentence lengths remaining at 2000 levels.

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Prison statistics England and Wales, 2000. Home Office. 2001.This volume provides a detailed statistical breakdown of the prison population in England and Wales in2000.

The prison population in 2000: a statistical review. Mike Elkins and Jide Olagundoye. Research Findings154. 2001.This Findings paper summarises the volume ‘Prison statistics England and Wales, 2000’.

Prison statistics England and Wales, 1999. Home Office. 2000.This volume provides a detailed statistical breakdown of the prison population in England and Wales in1999.

The prison population in 1999: a statistical review. Chris Cullen and Martin Minchin. Research Findings118. 2000.This Findings paper summarises the volume ‘Prison statistics England and Wales, 1999’.

Projections of long term trends in the prison population to 2007. Philip White and Christopher Cullen.Home Office Statistical Bulletin 2/00. 2000.The bulletin outlines the projections of the prison population under 3 different scenarios: first, on the basisof increasing custody rates and sentence lengths; second, assuming rising custody rates but sentence lengthsremaining at 1999 levels; and third, on the basis of custody rates and sentence lengths remaining at 1999levels.

World Prison Population List (second edition). Roy Walmsley. Research Findings 116. 2000.The World Prison Population List gives details of the number of prisoners held in some 200 independentcountries and dependent territories. It shows the differences in the levels of imprisonment across the worldand makes possible an estimate of the world prison population total.

Reconviction studies

Sexual offenders — measuring reconviction, reoffending and recidivism. Louise Falshaw, CarolineFriendship and Andrew Bates. Research Findings 183. 2002.The relationship between sexual reconviction and the actual level of offence-related sexual behaviour wasassessed using a sample of sexual offenders in England and Wales. The findings suggest ways in which futureevaluations of offender behaviour programmes might be conducted.

Reconviction rates of serious sexual offenders and assessments of their risk. Roger Hood, Stephen Shute,Martina Feilzer and Aidan Wilcox. Research Findings 164. 2002.The study examined reconviction rates for serious sexual offenders 4 and 6 years after they were releasedfrom long determinate prison sentences. ‘Clinical’ predictions of reoffending and an ‘actuarial’ riskprediction instrument for sex offenders were compared. The findings challenge some preconceptions aboutthe risks posed by sex offenders and have implications for sentencing and parole policies.

Two intensive regimes for young offenders: a follow-up evaluation. David P. Farrington, John Ditchfield,Gareth Hancock, Philip Howard, Darrick Jolliffe, Mark S. Livingston and Kate A. Painter. Home OfficeResearch Study 239. 2002.The aim of the study was to test the impact of the demanding, highly structured regimes, at Thorn CrossYoung Offender Institute and Colchester Corrective Military Training Centre, on attitudes, behaviour andrecidivism. The report updates Findings 121, see below, and describes reconviction rates 2 years afterrelease.

Two intensive regimes for young offenders: a follow-up evaluation. David P. Farrington, John Ditchfield,Philip Howard and Darrick Jolliffe. Research Findings 163. 2002.This Findings summarises Home Office Research Study 239.

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An evaluation of cognitive behavioural treatment for prisoners. Caroline Friendship, Linda Blud, MatthewErikson and Rosie Travers. Research Findings 161. 2002.The effectiveness of a prison-based cognitive behavioural treatment programme in England and Wales wasmeasured in relation to reconviction rates. The study compared reconviction rates for those who were onthe treatment programme with a matching group of offenders who were not on the programme. Theevaluation also examined the respective influence of treatment with other relevant variables, such assentence length and risk of offending score.

Evaluation of Intensive Regimes for Young Offenders. David Farrington, Gareth Hancock, MarkLivingston, Kate Painter and Graham Towl. Research Findings 121. 2000.An evaluation of the intensive and highly structured regimes at Thorn Cross and Colchester. The results ofthe evaluation demonstrate a reduction in reconviction rates compared with the control group at ThornCross, but not at Colchester.

A seven-year reconviction study of HMP Grendon therapeutic community. Ricky Taylor. ResearchFindings 115. 2000.This study examined the reconviction rates (within 7 years) of a number of prisoners who went to HMPGrendon for therapy in the years 1984 to 1989. The findings show that prisoners treated there have lowerreconviction rates than might be expected had they not gone to Grendon. Findings are similar to those of anearlier 4-year follow-up study.

Lifer panels and Parole

The parole system at work: a study of risk based decision-making. Roger Hood and Stephen Shute with theassistance of Aidan Wilcox. Home Office Research Study 202. 2000.The research included a detailed examination of how Parole Board decisions are taken. The report alsoexamines whether the current balance between public protection and reintegrating prisoners back into thecommunity under supervision is correct.

Parole decision-making: weighing the risk to the public. Roger Hood and Stephen Shute. Research Findings114. 2000.This Findings summarises Home Office Research Study 202.

An Exploration of Decision-Making at Discretionary Lifer Panels. Nicola Padfield and Alison Lieblingwith Helen Arnold. Home Office Research Study 213. 2000.An in-depth examination of the work of the panels that decide whether a discretionary life sentenceprisoner should continue to be detained after serving their ‘tariff’. Looks at the style and actions of thepanels, the views of the participants and the extent to which quality and effectiveness are evident in thedecision-making.

Discretionary Lifer Panels — An Exploration of Decision-Making. Nicola Padfield and Alison Lieblingwith Helen Arnold. Research Findings 132. 2000.This Findings summarises Home Office Research Study 213.

Women and young people in custody

Women Prisoners: A Survey of their Work and Training Experiences in Custody and on Release. BeckyHamlyn and Darren Lewis. Home Office Research Study 208. 2000.Pre and post-release surveys of the work and training needs and experiences of women prisoners. Theresults point to considerable scope for further help to develop their skills and potential.

Women Prisoners: A Survey of their Work and Training Experiences in Custody and on Release. BeckyHamlyn. Research Findings 122. 2000.This Findings summarises Home Office Research Study 208.

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‘Tell them so they listen’: messages from young people in custody. Juliet Lyon, Catherine Dennison andAnita Wilson. Home Office Research Study 201. 2000.This report summarises the findings from a series of focus groups with young people in custody. It discussestheir views on how they feel the criminal justice system has treated them, their opinions of currentinitiatives, and their hopes and aspirations for the future.

Messages from Young People in Custody — Focus Group Research. Juliet Lyon, Catherine Dennison andAnita Wilson. Research Findings 127. 2000.This Findings summarises Home Office Research Study 201.

Electronic monitoring

Electronic monitoring of released prisoners: an evaluation of the Home Detention Curfew scheme. KathDodgson, Philippa Goodwin, Philip Howard, Sian Llewellyn-Thomas, Ed Mortimer, Neil Russell and MarkWeiner. Home Office Research Study 222. 2001.This report draws together the main strands of an evaluation of the Home Detention Curfew schemecovering the first 16 months of the scheme. It includes: an analysis of release rates and recalls to prison; asurvey of curfewees, family members and probation supervisors; a cost-benefit study of HDC; and ananalysis of short-term reoffending by offenders released early onto the scheme compared to a controlgroup.

Electronic monitoring of released prisoners: an evaluation of the Home Detention Curfew scheme. EdMortimer. Research Findings 139. 2001.This Findings summarises Home Office Research Study 222.

Home Detention Curfew — the first year of operation. Kath Dodgson and Ed Mortimer. Research Findings110. 2000.Following successful trials of electronic monitoring as a community sentence, the Home Detention Curfewscheme was introduced in England and Wales from January 1999. Eligible prisoners can be released up to 60days before the end of the custodial part of their sentences. Over 16,000 offenders have been released ontoHome Detention Curfew in the first year of operation, and it is now one of the biggest electronic monitoringprogrammes in the world. The report includes analysis of release rates, recall figures and a summary of thefindings of a process evaluation.

Assessing prisoners for Home Detention Curfew: a guide for practitioners. Kath Dodgson, Ed Mortimerand Darren Sugg. RDS Practitioners Guide. 2000.A guide to good practice covering assessment of suitability for Home Detention Curfew, post-releaseprocesses and the roles of the respective agencies involved.

Electronically monitored curfew as a condition of bail-report of the pilot. Jennifer Airs, Robin Elliot,Esther Conrad. Home Office Occasional Paper. 2000

Miscellaneous research

Prisoners drug use and treatment: seven research studies. Edited by Malcolm Ramsey. Home OfficeResearch Studies 267. 2003.Brings together 7 studies concerning the progress of the Prison Service drugs strategy, which aims to helpcurtail use both in prison and on release. Also closely scrutinises the links between hard drugs and offendingand is geared towards the reduction of re-offending.

The prison-based sex offender treatment programme: an evaluation. Caroline Friendship, Ruth Mann,Anthony Beech. Research Findings 205. 2003.Examines the effectiveness of the National Sex Offender Treatment Programme (STOP) in England andWales.

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Programmes for black and Asian offenders on probation: lessons for developing practice. Home OfficeResearch Study 250. 2002.This study intends to address some of the problems in tackling existing community based interventions forBlack and Asian offenders. The study on which this report is based was commissioned to identify what isknown about the criminogenic needs (factors that contribute directly to criminal behaviour) of black andAsian offenders.

Measuring the quality of prison life. Alison Liebling and Helen Arnold. Research Findings 174. 2002.The research explored the possibility of using survey methods to measure the quality of prison life. Theresults indicate that it is possible to measure complex aspects of prison quality, such as relationships,respect, safety and trust and to compare performance between prison and over time in this way.

Jobs and homes — a survey of prisoners nearing release. Stephen Niven and Jide Olagundoye. ResearchFindings 173. 2002.The main aim of the study was to identify the proportion of prisoners expecting to take up employment ortraining soon after release. It also examined related factors, such as previous employment, qualifications,housing plans and activities in prison.

A Feasibility Study into Using a Randomised Controlled Trial to Evaluate Treatment Pilots at HMPWhitemoor. David P. Farrington and Darrick Jolliffe. Home Office Online Report 14/02. 2002.The aim of the report was to assess the feasibility of evaluating the HMP Whitemoor intervention pilot forindividuals assessed as DSPD (Dangerous and Severe Personality Disorder) using a randomised controlledtrial (RCT).

Religion in Prisons 1999 and 2000. Farid Guessous, Nick Hooper and Uma Moorthy. Statisical Bulletin15/01. 2001.The bulletin examines patterns and trends in the faiths followed by prisoners between 1993 and 2000.

Rates and causes of death among prisoners and offenders under community supervision. Ghazala Sattar.Home Office Research Study 231. 2001.The study compared the nature and extent of deaths among offenders in prison and those under communitysupervision in England and Wales in 1996 and 1997.

Deaths of offenders in prison and under community supervision. Ghazala Sattar. Research Findings 153.2001.This Findings summarises Home Office Research Study 231.

Building bridges to employment for prisoners. Russell Webster, Carol Hedderman, Paul J. Turnbull andTiggey May. Home Office Research Study 226. 2001.The results of postal survey of prisons and Young Offender Institutions (YOIs) on their work relating toeducation, employment and training are reported here. In addition, the research literature on prison-basedemployment schemes was examined and case studies were conducted in eight establishments.

Prison-based employment schemes. Russell Webster, Carol Hedderman, Paul J. Turnbull and Tiggey May.Research Findings 151. 2001.This Findings summarises Home Office Research Study 226.

Evaluation of close supervision centres. Emma Clare and Keith Bottomley. Home Office Research Study219. 2001.An independent 2-year assessment of the new close supervision centres system for managing disruptiveprisoners. The report recommends revised principles and processes, including, a comprehensive assessmentprocess, differential regimes and the long-term containment of a small number of high-risk prisoners whocannot safely be returned to normal conditions.

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Research into nature and effectiveness of drugs throughcare. John Burrows, Alan Clarke, Tonia Davidson,Roger Tarling and Sarah Webb. Occasional Paper 68. 2001.A study examining the nature of drugs throughcare for severely drug dependent prisoners who were eligiblefor prison treatment. Drugs throughcare relates to the treatment and support offered to prisoners makingthe transition from prison to the community. The research gauges the impact of these interventions onoffenders’ drug-taking and offending behaviour, as well as what constitutes good practice in this area.

The nature and effectiveness of drugs throughcare for released prisoners. John Burrows, Alan Clarke,Tonia Davidson, Roger Tarling and Sarah Webb. Research Findings 109. 2000.This Findings summarises Occasional Paper 68.

Prison Escort and Custody Services: Prisoners’ Experiences. Bridget Williams Christopher Cuthbert andGhazala Sattar. Research Findings 123. 2000.A survey of prisoners’ experience of prisoner escort and custody service contractors in England and Waleswas conducted. In general, prisoners felt that the standards laid down in contracts were largely being met,but some areas were found to need improvement.

Sexual Victimisation among 15-17 year olds in Prison. Barry McGurk, Robert Forde and Ann Barnes.Home Office Occasional Paper 65. 2000.Results of a survey which shows that while bullying is widespread among this population the incidence ofsexual victimisation is very low.

Finance

Review of comparative costs and performance of privately and publicly operated prisons 1998-99. IsabellePark. Home Office Statistical Bulletin 6/00. 2000.The report analyses the comparative costs of prisons in the public and private sectors. On average, privatelyoperated prisons offered a saving of 13 per cent in terms of cost per prisoner in 1998-99, but little or nosaving when cost per baseline and in-use places are compared. The steady convergence between private andpublic sector costs, which had been seen since 1994-95, did not continue into 1998-99.

Crime Reduction Programme

Measuring Inputs — Guidance for Evaluators. David Legg and James Powell. Crime ReductionProgramme — guidance note 3. 2000.This document examines a number of the key issues that have arisen concerning the measurement of inputsin the cost-effectiveness evaluation of the Crime Reduction Programme (CRP). A unique feature of theprogramme is that it aims to compare directly the costs and benefits of a wide range of approaches toreducing crime — from early interventions with children to new policing tactics and better sentencingprocedures. (The third in a series of three guidance notes.)

Section 95

Statistics on Women and the Criminal Justice System 2002. Home Office. 2002.

Statistics on Race and the Criminal Justice System 2002. Home Office. 2002.


Statistics on Race and the Criminal Justice System 2000. Home Office. 2001.


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Criminal justice systems

Criminal Statistics England and Wales 2001. Home Office. 2002.

International comparisons of criminal justice statistics 2000. Gordon C. Barclay and Cynthia Tavares.Home Office Statistical Bulletin 05/02. 2002.This bulletin updates and expands Home Office Statistical Bulletin 06/01 (see below) by examining statisticsfrom 39 countries (including all European Union Member States).


International comparisons of criminal justice statistics 1999. Gordon C. Barclay and Cynthia Tavares.Home Office Statistical Bulletin 06/01. 2001.The bulletin updates and expands Home Office Statistical Bulletin 4/00 (see below) by examining statisticsfrom 32 countries.


International comparisons of criminal justice statistics 1998. Gordon C. Barclay and Cynthia Tavares.Home Office Statistical Bulletin 4/00. 2000.The bulletin examines trends from 29 countries covering: recorded crime; homicide; violent crime; burglary;thefts of motor vehicles; drug trafficking offences. It also reports on the findings of a study coveringcustodial and other sentences in nine European countries, and on an analysis of the prison population rate inWestern European countries.

The Criminal Justice System in England and Wales. Becca Chapman and Steve Niven. 2000.This document provides a description of the structures and procedures of the Criminal Justice System (CJS)in England and Wales. It is intended as a resource for people from a variety of backgrounds and interests. Itprovides an overview of the whole system rather than a detailed and exhaustive examination of itsconstituent parts.

Home Office Research Studies, Research Findings, Crime Reduction Programme guidance notes, Section95 publications, Statistical Bulletins, the Digest and Occasional Papers are all available from theCommunication and Development Unit, Research, Development and Statistics Directorate, Room 201,Home Office, 50 Queen Anne’s Gate, London SW1H 9AT. Telephone 020 7273 2084. Email requests to:[email protected]

Most of these publications can also be found on the Home Office website, www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds,which also contains reports on other areas of Home Office responsibility.

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CHAPTER 13

PRISON STATISTICS FOR ENGLAND AND WALES

DIRECTORY OF RELATED INTERNET SITES

This section gives a list of websites (both government and independent organisations’ websites) that haveinformation relating to prisons and prisoners. Sites in England and Wales are listed first, followed by theUnited States, and other international sites that may be of interest.

The list includes several general websites pertaining to wider criminal justice issues and ones that giveinformation on specific issues such as female prisoners, prison population data and youth issues. This is tohelp users interpret the prison data in a broader sociological context.

ENGLAND AND WALES

● General Sites

➢ Government Sites

❖ Crime Reduction, www.crimereduction.gov.ukDescribes strategies for dealing with young and adult offenders effectively.

❖ Prison Service, www.hmprisonservice.gov.ukGives information about news releases, publications, news updates, and links to: UKgovernment and parliamentary sites, international organisations and prison servicesaround the world.

❖ Research Development and Statistics Directorate,www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/index.htmGives information about Digest 4, a statistical summary of the criminal justice system,history, a “What’s New?” section, and allows a search according to different topics thatthe Home Office deals with.

❖ CJS online, www.criminal-justice-system.gov.ukGives detailed information on all aspects of the CJS through news releases/updates,publications and projects they are working on. Also has a ‘Link Library’ with hyperlinksto many other listed agencies.

❖ Prisons and Probation Ombudsman for England and Wales, http://www.ppo.gov.uk/Independent of both the Prison Service and the National Probation Service, The Prisonand Probation Ombudsman investigates the complaints of both prisoners and thosesubject to probation supervision. Provides comprehensive instructions for the use of theOmbudsman and also provides newsletters, publications and links.

➢ Independent Organisations

❖ Cambridge Institute of Criminology,www.crim.cam.ac.uk./library/links/prisons.htmlProvides links to government and non-government sites in Australia, North America andother international sites. Also lists many research and statistical publications on a varietyof subjects.

❖ Centre for Criminological Research, Oxford University, www.crim.ox.ac.ukCarries out empirical research into many issues. Lists current and previous research.

❖ Howard League for Penal Reform, web.ukonline.co.uk/howard.leagueOrganisation working for humane and rational reform of the penal system. Carries outresearch on Criminal Justice Policy, publishes many books and reports and runs variousprojects in schools and prisons. Provides information on many topical issues in prisons,i.e. Overcrowding/Females/Young Offenders.

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❖ Centre for Crime and Justice Studies, www.kcl.ac.uk.//depsta/rel/ccjsCharity organisation seeking to educate in all areas of the criminal justice system,providing relevant journals, publications, reports and links.

❖ Prison Reform Trust, www.prisonreformtrust.org.ukProvides detailed information for prisoners, public and staff, acting as a voice forprisoners and their families. Also includes extensive links to various prison-relatedreports and papers.

● Specific Topics

➢ Prison Population Data

❖ RDS, www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs2/hosb1402.pdfProjections of the long term trends in the Prison Population until 2009.

❖ RDS, www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/prisons1.htmlMonthly Prison Population Briefs going back to March 1999.

❖ UK Prison Population Trends,www.hmprisonservice.gov.uk/statistics/dynpage.asp?page=18A weekly summary of the Prison Population produced by the Prison Service which looksat the population broken down into various subdivides, i.e. gender, as well as looking atthe weekly and yearly change of this population.

➢ Female Prisoners

❖ Prison Service, www.hmprisonservice.gov.uk/corporate/dynpage.asp?Page=189A document outlining the Governments strategy on female offenders which includesmany statistics on females offending and re-offending. It also covers issues on the victimsof such crimes as well as the needs of such offenders.

❖ Women in Prison, www.womeninprison.org.ukA support and campaigning group for female prisoners. Has information on currentissues, the Holloway Remand Scheme and their Training and Education Programme.

➢ Ethnicity

❖ IQRA Trust’s Prisoners Welfare Directorate,http://pwdiqra.webstar.co.uk/index.html www.iqraprisonerswelfare.org/Promotes the understanding of the needs of Muslim inmates in British prisons. Providesstatistics regarding ethnicity of prisoners.

➢ Details of Individual Establishments

❖ Prison Service, www.hmprisonservice.gov.uk/prisonsAddress, telephone number, description, operational capacity, certified normalaccommodation, visiting hours, directions and other information.

➢ Youth Issues

❖ Youth Justice Board, www.youth-justice-board.gov.ukPress releases, contacts, background information, location of youth offending teams,latest legislation, letters, editorials, speeches and articles.

➢ Ex-offenders

❖ NACRO, www.nacro.org.ukThe National Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders is an organisationworking to prevent crime, and manages projects (the results of which are unavailable atthis time).

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❖ Unlock,www.tphbook.dircon.co.uk/unlock.html www.tphbook.dircon.co.uk/unlock.htmNational Association for Ex-offenders. Aims to monitor pre-release courses andoffending behaviour of ex-offenders. Gives data and information on discharges.

❖ Bridging the Gap. www.btguk.orgOrganisation which provides help for discharged prisoners. Provides resources to usefulestablishments and various reports.

❖ Racism, Ethnicity and Criminology.www.kcl.ac.uk/depsta/law/research/rec/index.htmlProvides a forum for racism and ethnicity in all areas of the criminal justice system, withlinks, a small number of reports and contact addresses.

❖ Action for Prisoners Families. www.prisonersfamilies.org.ukA site intended for the support of families with a member within a correctional facility.

➢ Publications

❖ RDS, www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pubsinto1.htmlGives a list of Home Office Statistical Bulletins, Statistical Findings, Research Studies,Occasional Papers and Research Findings, most of which can be viewed on-line.

SCOTLAND


❖ Scottish Prison Service, http://www.sps.gov.uk/Provides information covering the Scottish Prison Service, including lists and details of allthe establishments under the SPS, with various publications, documents and reports.Also gives the latest news, FAQs, links to various UK and overseas websites.

UNITED STATES

● General Sites


❖ Bureau of Justice Statistics, www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjsKey facts, statistics about criminal offenders, corrections and prisons.

❖ US Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Prisons, www.bop.govStatistics on prison population sorted by 13 different categories, historical documents,and a list of offences.

❖ National Institute of Justice, www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nijThe NIU carries out advanced scientific research and evaluation and is dedicated toresearching crime control and justice issues. This website contains various reports,publications and programs with regards to this.

➢ Independent Organisations

❖ Criminal Justice Institute, www.cji-inc.comPublishes the Criminal Justice Yearbook, which includes trends and statistics regardingadult corrections, probation, parole, jails and private prisons. Shows how you can orderthis, and describes some of the research studies undertaken, and lists relevantpublications.

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❖ Justice Information Centre, www.ncjrs.orgProvides links to CJS statistics, juvenile justice, drugs and crime, and links to researchfindings on many issues relating to crime and justice.

❖ National Institute of Corrections, Prisons Division,www.nicic.org/about/divisions/prisons/htmDescribes the activities of the prisons division, and lists services, publications (notavailable on-line), and has a database of over 1,500 items. Also has links to discussiongroups, and related sites.

❖ American society of criminology, Critical Criminology Division.http://sun.soci.niu.edu/̃critcrim/prisons/prisons.htmlThe ASC provides an extensive list of links for various prison statistics within the U.S., asmall number internationally, and more specific areas such as female prisoners andprison disturbances.

● Specific Topics

➢ Prison Population Data

❖ Bureau of Justice Statistics, www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/prisons.htmSummary of findings on the number of prisoners, recent trends, female prisoners,capacity, offence (up to 1999), and statistics from 1977 to 1996 on prisoner population(both male and female), prisoners in custody, sentenced prisoners, and population byoffence and other variables. Also gives information on HIV, mental health and priorabuse of prisoners.

❖ Federal Bureau of Prisons Quick Facts, www.bop.gov/fact0598.htmlRegularly updated information about US prison populations.

❖ US Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Prisons, www.bop.govWeekly prison population data.

➢ Ethnicity

❖ Bureau of Justice Statistics, www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/abstract/aic.htmAmerican Indians and crime.

➢ Prison Details

❖ Prison Law Links, www.prisonwall.org/links.htmProvides a list of correctional departments in 30 different states.

➢ Drugs

❖ Bureau of Prisons, www.bop.govIn Public Information, gives information about drug treatment.

➢ Youth Issues

❖ Juvenile Net, www.juvenilenet.org/News and links.

➢ Publications

❖ American Corrections Association, www.corrections.com/acaSelected articles from Corrections Compendium and Corrections Today.

❖ American Jail Association, www.corrections.com/aja/American Jails Magazine and Bulletin.

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➢ Private Prison Provison

❖ Group 4 Securitas, www.group4securitas.comLarge website containing information for Groups 4’s own private prison facilitiesamongst other services they provide.

INTERNATIONAL SITES

❖ Basic Principles for the Treatment of Prisoners,www.www.hri.ca/uninfo/treaties/35.shtmlUnited Nations Protocol

❖ Council of Europe, www.coe.intA report regarding prison overcrowding and prison population inflation can be found atwww.coe.fr/cm/ta/rec/1999/99r22.htm,

❖ Home Office, http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs2/r188.pdfGives details of world prison populations.

❖ Human Rights Watch, www.hrw.org/hrw/advocacy/prisons/index.htmPrison conditions and the treatment of prisoners from national and internationalperspectives.

❖ International Centre for Prison Studies, London,www.kcl.ac.uk/depsta/rel/icps/home.htmlWhat’s new? section, and information on research projects. Has links to dozens of penalorganisations, prison resources and other criminal justice organisations.

❖ International Corrections and Prisons Association, www.icpa.ca/home.htmlA forum for CJS professionals to share ideas and engage in dialogue. Researches variousprison-related topics, for example, offender re-integration. Also includes legislation andUN guidelines and rules regarding prisons.

❖ Office of International Criminal Justice, www.oijc.org/Criminal justice throughout the world

❖ United Nations Crime and Justice Information Network, www.uncjin.orgDescription of Centre for International Crime Prevention, including global programmesand research. Lists institutes concerned with crime. UN rules and publications list. Givesstatistics.

❖ World Criminal Justice Library Network, http://newark.rutgers.edu/̃wcjlen/wcj/Statistical and Research Publications from around the world.

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APPENDIX 1

LEGISLATION AND POLICY INITIATIVES AFFECTING THE STATISTICS

Imprisonment — adults

1. Imprisonment is the most severe penalty ordinarily available to the courts. The courts have the power toimpose a sentence up to a maximum term given by the Act of Parliament which created the particularoffence. Where an offender is sentenced to imprisonment for more than 1 offence, the sentences may beordered by the court to run either consecutively or concurrently. There are a number of factors which acourt will take into account when deciding whether sentences should be consecutive or concurrent.Consecutive sentences will generally be appropriate, for example, where different types of offendingbehaviour are involved. The maximum penalty reflects the gravity of the worst possible case and is thus highfor the most serious offences, for example life imprisonment for rape, robbery or manslaughter; 14 years forburglary in a dwelling. A magistrates’ court may not sentence to longer than 6 months or less than 5 days forany one offence nor to longer than 12 months in total, where sentences are being imposed for 2 or moretriable either way offences and are to run consecutively.

Custodial penalties for young offenders

2. The Criminal Justice Act 1991 made a number of changes in the custodial sentencing arrangements foryoung offenders. It set a common minimum age of 15 for both boys and girls for the imposition of a sentenceof detention in a young offender institution (previously the minimum age was 14 for boys and 15 for girls).The Act also set 2 months as a minimum period for which young offenders of either sex aged 15 to 17, may besentenced to detention in a young offender institution (the previous minima for those under 17 were 21 daysfor males and 4 months for females). The maximum determinate sentence for 15 to 17 year olds was set at 12months, but this was increased to 2 years with effect from 3rd February 1995 under the Criminal Justice andPublic Order Act 1994. For young offenders aged 18-20, the minimum is 21 days and the maximum is thesame as the adult maximum for the offence.

3. The Crime and Disorder Act 1998 set up the Youth Justice Board from September 1998. The Boardworks with Youth Offending Teams which are new multi-agency bodies established by local authoritieswith social services and education responsibilities, the police, probation and health services. The aim of theYouth Offending Teams is to promote a holistic view of young people at risk of offending and ensure actionis taken to guide young people to more positive activities and attitudes. From April 2000 the Board has theresponsibility to commission and purchase secure facilities for juveniles on remand and under sentence.Also provided for in the Act is the Detention and Training Order, a new custodial sentence for 12 to 17 yearolds which replaced the sentence of Detention in a Young Offender Institution and the secure trainingorder from April 2000. The term of a DTO can be 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 18 or 24 months. It is served half in custodyand half in the community, although the Act allows for shortening or extending the custodial elementdepending on the young offender’s progress. The custodial element can be served in a young offenderinstitution, local authority secure accommodation, or a secure training centre. Other responsibilities of theYouth Justice Board are to reduce significantly the average time from arrest to sentence of persistent youngoffenders and to launch schemes to promote the development of bail supervision and support schemes foryoung people together with other measures for reducing the unnecessary use of secure remands.

4. Under section 53 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933 (which was repealed on 25th August 2000and its provisions transferred to sections 90-92 of the Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000),youths aged 14-17 convicted at the Crown Court may be sentenced to be detained for up to the adultmaximum, including life, for offences carrying maximum sentences of 14 years or more imprisonment in thecase of an adult or for the offences of causing death by dangerous driving, causing death by careless drivingwhile under the influence of alcohol or drugs and, for those aged 16 and 17, indecent assault on a woman.This also applies to offenders aged 10-13 convicted of murder or manslaughter. The Criminal Justice andPublic Order Act 1994 extended these provisions for 10-13 year olds. As of January 1995 10-13 year oldsconvicted at the Crown Court of offences carrying maximum sentences of 14 years or more imprisonment inthe case of an adult etc. may also be detained for up to the adult maximum. Detainees may be held either inPrison Service establishments, local authority secure or open community homes, or Department of HealthYouth Treatment Centres. The youngest detainees are held outside Prison Service establishments.

5. An important part of the activities of a Young Offender Institution is to prepare the offender for returnto the outside community. A flexible but coherent programme of activities is provided, aimed at assistingthe offender to develop personal responsibility, self-discipline, physical fitness and to obtain suitable

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employment after release. Youths of compulsory school age must receive a minimum of 15 hours educationa week. Vocational training and work form an important part of the regime for older inmates. Links withfamilies and the community are maintained as far as possible.

Life imprisonment

6. There are 3 main types of life sentence. A mandatory life sentence is the only sentence available to thecourts for persons over the age of 21 found guilty of murder. A discretionary life sentence may be imposedfor those over the age of 21 as the maximum penalty for a serious offence, e.g. manslaughter, attemptedmurder, rape, buggery, armed robbery or arson. An automatic life sentence must be passed by the courts onanyone who was 18 or over on or after 1st October 1997 and was convicted of a second serious violent orsexual offence (unless the court is of the opinion that there are exceptional circumstances). Automatic lifesentences are given under Section 109 of the Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000 (previouslySection 2 of the Crime (Sentences) Act 1997).

7. There are then 3 age-related variants. ‘Detention during Her Majesty’s Pleasure’ is the only sentenceavailable to the courts for a person convicted of murder who was aged over 10 but under 18 at the time of theoffence. ‘Custody for Life’ is the mandatory sentence for a person aged 18 or over but under 21 at the time ofthe offence who is convicted of murder and sentenced while under 21. This sentence may also be imposedwhere a person aged 18 or over but under 21 at the time of the offence is convicted of any offence for which alife sentence may be passed on an adult as a discretionary sentence. ‘Detention for Life’ is equivalent to adiscretionary life sentence. This sentence is available for persons aged over 10 but under 18 convicted ofoffences other than murder for which a life sentence may be passed on an adult.

8. A life sentence is wholly indeterminate. There is no entitlement to release at any stage but offendersmay be considered for release on licence. For those serving a mandatory life sentence, release may only beauthorised by the Home Secretary on the recommendation of the Parole Board and after consulting theLord Chief Justice and, if available, the trial judge. For discretionary lifers (that is offenders who receive lifesentences as a maximum, rather than mandatory sentence), the procedures changed with theimplementation of section 34 of the Criminal Justice Act 1991 in October 1992. A court sentencing a personto life imprisonment for an offence other than murder, must specify a term called the relevant part. On theexpiry of this term they become eligible for the new release procedures which are now contained in section28 of the Crime (Sentences) Act 1997. A discretionary life sentence prisoner is entitled to require the HomeSecretary to refer his or her case to a Discretionary Lifer Panel (DLP) under the remit of the Parole Board,if the Home Secretary has not already done so when the relevant part has been served. The Board has thepower to direct the release of the prisoner on licence if satisfied that it is no longer necessary for theprotection of the public that the prisoner should be confined. The Home Secretary has no residual power asin the case of mandatory life sentences, to reject a recommendation by the Parole Board. Under the Crime(Sentences) Act 1997, these arrangements also apply to those sentenced to an automatic life sentence undersection 2 of that Act (which was implemented on 1st October 1997) and to prisoners sentenced to ‘detentionduring Her Majesty’s pleasure’. If released, life sentence prisoners are on licence for the rest of their livesand liable to recall at any time if their conduct so demands.

9. In May 2002, in the case of Stafford, the European Court of Human Rights decided that the HomeSecretary’s power to authorise the release of mandatory lifers was not compatible with Article 5(4) of theEuropean Convention on Human Rights. In October 2002, the Home Secretary agreed new interimadministrative arrangements for the release of mandatory lifers which will apply until new legislation isintroduced by means of the current Criminal Justice Bill. Under the interim arrangements the Secretary ofState will normally accept any recommendation now made by the Parole Board for the release of amandatory lifer. The current legislation also provides for the Lord Chief Justice and the trial judge, ifavailable, to be consulted about the release of mandatory lifers. Arrangements are in place, pending thelegislative changes, for this to be done on a fast-track basis.

Summary of relevant legislation

10. The following legislation is of relevance to the consideration of trends in the series of data for1991-2001 presented in the tables of this volume:

11. Criminal Justice Act 1988Section 123 of this Act, which came into effect on 1st October 1988, made changes in the custodial sentencesavailable for offenders aged under 21 by tightening the restrictions on the use of custody, which werecontained in Section 1 of the Criminal Justice Act 1982. At the same time, youth custody and detention

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centre orders were unified into a single custodial sentence — detention in a young offender institution.Under Ministerial requirements for this sentence, juveniles should be held in separate institutions or indiscrete accommodation in mixed institutions. Short sentenced (taken to be up to and including 4 months)young adult offenders should similarly be held separately from the longer sentenced groups.

The following changes were also made:

(i) With effect from 29th September 1988, the maximum penalty was increased from 14 years tolife for two offences under the Firearms Act 1968: carrying, or possessing, firearms infurtherance of crime. In addition the maximum penalty for uncertified possession of ashotgun was increased.

(ii) With effect from 29th September 1988, the maximum term of imprisonment for the offence ofcruelty to children was increased from 2 to 10 years.

(iii) With effect from 12th October 1988, driving while disqualified, taking a motor vehicle withoutauthority, common assault and criminal damage involving amounts not exceeding £2,000became triable only as summary offences.

(iv) With effect from 5th January 1989, the maximum term of imprisonment for most levels of finewas reduced by a half.

12. Aggravated Vehicle-Taking Act 1992With effect from 1st April 1992, this created an aggravated form of the offence of taking a motor vehiclewithout the owner’s consent or driving or being carried in a conveyance, knowing that it has been takenwithout consent. The aggravated offence is triable-either-way. The maximum penalty is from 6 monthswhere only minor damage is caused to 5 years where an accident causing death occurs.

13. Road Traffic Act 1991With effect from 1st July 1992, the offence of reckless driving was amended to dangerous driving and newoffences were introduced including causing death by careless driving when under the influence of drink ordrugs.

14. Criminal Justice Act 1991The main principles of the sentencing framework introduced in October 1992 by the Criminal Justice Act

1991 were:

(i) The severity of the sentence should reflect primarily the seriousness of the offence, inparticular, that previous convictions should only be considered relevant where thecircumstances of the previous offence disclosed aggravating factors of the current offence.(However, the 1993 Criminal Justice Act, implemented on 16th August 1993, see (14) below,allows courts to take into account any previous convictions of the offender).

(ii) Custody should generally be reserved for the most serious offences: however, custodialsentences may also be passed to protect the public from serious harm from violent or sexualoffenders and longer sentences than otherwise justified by the seriousness of the offence maybe passed on the same grounds.

(iii) Community sentences should play a full role in sentencing and not simply be an alternative tocustody.

(iv) The way young people are dealt with should closely reflect their age and development,including bringing 17 year olds within the jurisdiction of the juvenile court and renaming it asthe youth court.

This led to changes in the sentences available to the courts, including:

(v) The introduction of combination orders, whereby elements of probation supervision andcommunity service work are combined in a single order given for 1 offence.

(vi) Making probation orders, supervision orders and combination orders available for 16 and 17year olds.

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(vii) Abolishing the sentence of detention in a young offender institution for 14 year old boys andchanging the minimum and maximum sentence lengths for 15 to 17 year olds to 2 and 12months respectively.

(viii) Abolishing partly suspended sentences of imprisonment and restricting the use of a fullysuspended sentence of imprisonment to only those circumstances where a court decides theoffence is so serious to justify an immediate custodial sentence of not more than 2 yearsimprisonment, but there are exceptional circumstances which merit its suspension.

(ix) Reducing the maximum term of imprisonment for non-domestic burglary from 14 to 10 yearsand for theft from 10 to 7 years.

Part II of this Act dealt with the early release of prisoners and introduced provisions to replace the previoussystems of parole and remission. The relevant parts of the Act were implemented on 1st October 1992 andapply to those sentenced on or after that date. There are 3 schemes based on sentence length.

(x) Automatic unconditional releaseThose sentenced to less than 12 months are released automatically half way through theirsentence (unless “additional days” have been imposed for breaches of prison discipline).Adults are not subject to supervision following release, but young offenders are subject to aminimum of 3 months supervision (or until their 22nd birthday if that is sooner). All will be ‘atrisk’ until the very end of their sentence; that is, if they commit a further imprisonable offencebefore the end of their original sentence, the court dealing with the new offence may add all orpart of the outstanding sentence to any new sentence it imposes.

(xi) Automatic conditional releaseThose sentenced to 12 months or more but less than 4 years are released automatically halfway through their sentence (subject to “additional days”). They are released on licence andsubject to supervision up to three quarters (or to the end in the case of some sex offenders)and are ‘at risk’ to the end of the original sentence.

(xii) Discretionary releaseThose sentenced to 4 years or more are eligible for parole half way through their sentence, ifparole is not granted then release occurs at the two-thirds point of the sentence (or at asubsequent parole review). Release, when it occurs, is on licence and subject to supervision upto three quarters (or to the end in the case of some sex offenders) and all are ‘at risk’ until theend of the original sentence.

Part III of the Act made further changes to the custodial sentences available for young offenders under the1982 and 1988 Acts. The minimum age at which juveniles could be sentenced to detention in a youngoffender institution was unified for boys and girls at 15. Previously, boys aged 14 could be so sentenced. Thespecial provisions for offenders under 17 were extended to cover those aged 17.

15. Criminal Justice Act 1993Provisions of the Criminal Justice Act 1993, implemented in August 1993 restored to courts their power totake into account previous convictions and sentences (the Criminal Justice Act 1991 only allowed this inrestricted circumstances). Offending on bail was made a mandatory statutory aggravating factor insentencing.

16. Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994Several new offences, mainly in the area of Public Order were created with effect from 3rd November 1994.However, the remaining provisions of his Act were mainly implemented in 1995, including:

(i) Extension of the provisions of section 53 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933 for 10to 13 year olds, with effect from 9th January 1995.

(ii) Increasing the maximum sentence length for 15 to 17 year olds to 2 years, with effect from 3rd

February 1995; longer sentences for serious offences can still be given under section 53 of theChildren and Young Persons Act 1933.

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(iii) No bail for those defendants charged or convicted of homicide or rape after previousconvictions for such offences and no right to bail for persons accused or convicted ofcommitting an offence while on bail, with effect from 10th April 1995.

(iv) The introduction of provisions for the reduction of sentences for early guilty pleas, with effectfrom 3rd February 1995.

(v) Increasing the maximum sentence length for certain firearm offences, with effect from3rd February 1995.

(vi) Relaxation of the requirements for pre sentence reports (PSRs), with effect from 3rd February1995.

The Criminal Justice and Public Order Act (1994) also allowed for the introduction of curfew ordersenforced by electronic monitoring, these were implemented during 2000.

17. Offensive Weapons Act (1996)In July 1996 the Offensive Weapons Act was implemented introducing increased maximum penalties forcarrying offensive weapons or having an article with a blade or point in a public place. Further provisions tocontrol knives were implemented in September. Increases were seen during 1996 in the numbers receivingcommunity sentences and immediate custody for these offences.

18. Crime (Sentences) Act 1997 and Crime and Disorder Act (1998)Arrangements for plea before venue, as made possible by the Criminal Procedures and Investigations Act1996 and the Crime (Sentences) Act 1997, were implemented on 1st October 1997. There is evidence thatPlea before Venue has caused a reduction in sentence lengths and a change in the balance betweenmagistrates’ and Crown Court with some cases being retained in the magistrates’ courts and others beingcommitted to the Crown Court for sentencing, with a consequential increase in the proportion of remandprisoners being held as convicted unsentenced, rather than untried prisoners. The estimate of the net effectof this Act, which requires defendants to plead at an early stage in proceedings, was to reduce the prisonpopulation by 500.

The Act also requires that automatic life sentences should be given to offenders convicted for a secondtime of serious sexual or violent offences. Similarly courts are required to impose minimum prisonsentences of 7 years on offenders convicted of trafficking in class A drugs if he or she has 2 or more previousconvictions for similar offences. The combined effect of both these measures which were implemented on1st October 1997, was estimated to be an increase in the prison population of 400 within 5 years. Alsoincluded, and implemented in late 1999, are minimum sentences of 3 years for offenders convicted for thethird time of domestic burglary. The long-term estimated effect would be to raise the prison population byas much as 1,600 by 2009.

Home Detention Curfew, part of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, was implemented on 28th January 1999.This involves some prisoners spending up to the last 2 months of the custodial part of their sentence on acurfew enforced by electronic monitoring (subject to a risk assessment). The introduction of HDC in 1999 isestimated to have reduced the prison population by around 2,000 by mid 1999. Two changes to the HomeDetention Curfew (HDC) scheme were made in 2002: the introduction of the Presumptive HDC scheme forprisoners serving between 3 months and under 12 months, and the increase of the maximum curfew periodto 90 days. Under PSI 19/2002 the presumptive scheme applied from 1st May 2002 to prisoners with sentencelengths of 3 months to under 12 months who do not have an offence of sex, violence or drugs, or a convictionfor such an offence within 3 years of the date of the sentence for the current offence. Governors are requiredto release these prioners on HDC, subject to a satisfactory Home Circumstances Assessment, unless theyare aware of exceptional and compelling reasons why release should not be granted. No other riskassessments are required. Where the prisoner does not satisfy the offence/sentence length criteria, thestandard assessment process continues to operate. PSI 39/2002 removed with effect from 5th August therestriction whereby those with a previous drugs offence were excluded from the presumptive scheme.

Section 103 of the Act allows for the recall of short term prisoners released on licence. This complementarylegislation was implemented from January 1999.

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The Crime and Disorder Act also replaced the sentence of Detention in a Young Offender Institution withthe Detention and Training Order, from April 2000. These changes in custodial penalties for juveniles wereestimated to have increased the prison population by 200.

19. Human Rights Act 1998An act to give further rights and freedoms guaranteed under the European Convention on Human Rights.From November 1998, the Human Rights Act was developed as law giving constitutional guarantees ofhuman rights. Of particular interest to the legal system were rights relating to preventing prejudice to thetrial process. It was implemented on 1st October 2000. It was predicted that it would lead to an increase in thenumber of appeals and elections for trial from magistrates’ courts, and it was estimated that it wouldincrease the prison population on average by 1,100 over the long term, although, since implementation, it ishas become clear that the impact on the criminal justice system as a whole has been less than previouslyestimated.

20. Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) ActThis Act, introduced in 2000, consolidated certain enactments relating to the powers of courts to deal withoffenders and defaulters and to the treatment of such persons, with amendments to give effect torecommendations of the Law Commission.

21. Other ConsiderationsAlso of relevance to the consideration of trends in the series of data shown in this volume were:

(i) A restricted parole policy, announced on 30th November 1983, which meant that prisonerssentenced to more than 5 years for a single offence of violence, sex, arson and drug traffickingwould be granted parole only when release under supervision for a few months before the endof a sentence was likely to reduce the long term risk to the public or in circumstances whichwere genuinely exceptional. This restricted parole policy was lifted in June 1992.

(ii) In November 1995 a Queens Bench Judgement in Cawley and Others (R v Oldham Justicesand another, ex parte Cawley and other applications. Queen’s Bench Division. 30th, 31st

October, 28th November 1995) clarified the legislative position whereby all fine enforcementmeasures have to be actively considered or tried before imprisonment can be imposed by thecourts. Following this judgement a number of fine defaulter cases have been subject tojudicial review in which it was found that it was not clear that the magistrates had consideredall the possible enforcement measures and so the prisoner was immediately released. In thelight of this the Magistrates’ Association and the Justices’ Clerks’ Society produced a modelpronouncement which takes each enforcement measure in turn and invites magistrates todetail why they believe that the measure is not appropriate. A number of initiatives under theGovernment’s Working Group on the Enforcement of Financial Penalties were takenforward in 1996 and will also have contributed to the fall in the use of imprisonment for finedefaulters. These included issuing good practice guidance for the courts in July 1996 and theextension of the power to impose an attachment of earnings order in the Criminal Procedureand Investigations Act 1996.

(iii) Measures proposed in the Review of Delay in the Criminal Justice System (the ‘Narey’ report— Home Office 1997) were implemented from November 1999. These included the locationof CPS staff in police stations, the use of CPS designated caseworkers to review files andpresent certain cases, the introduction of early first hearings for straightforward guilty pleacases, the introduction of ‘early administrative hearings’ for all other cases and changes to thepowers of single justices and justices’ clerks to assist case management. Pilot work showedthat the time taken to deal with offenders from charge to disposal fell from 85 to 30 days foradults and from 90 days to 38 days for youths. It has been estimated that as a result ofimplementing these measures the population of prisoners held on remand reducedsubstantially, by around 1,200 prisoners.

(iv) The Crime and Disorder Act 1998 introduced two further changes connected with personscommitted for trial. The first, section 51, which became effective nationally on 15th January2001, having being piloted in 24 petty sessional areas since 4th January 1999, introduced thepower for magistrates’ courts to send persons for trial to the Crown Court forthwith withoutcommittal proceedings. This applies to those charged with indictable only offences butincludes triable either way and summary offences charged at the same time together with anyadults or juveniles jointly charged with them.

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(v) Events such as the prison disturbances in 1990 and the murder of James Bulger (in 1993) aresometimes thought to have an influence (however temporary) on public opinion and the useof custody by the courts.

(vi) Around 750 prisoners were released in July 2002 following a decision of the European Courtof Human Rights on 15th July in the cases of Ezeh and Conners. It was decided thatpunishments involving the imposition of additional days should only be imposed byindependent adjudicators. From October 2002, District Judges were engaged as independentadjudicators to deal with the most serious cases.

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APPENDIX 2

DATA SOURCES AND RECORDING PRACTICE

Data SourcesPrison Population

1. Prison Service establishments routinely provide records of the numbers of persons held in custody atthe end of each month, broadly subdivided according to age, sex, custody type and sentence length. Therecords are collated and processed centrally, to produce the main estimates of average and mid-yearpopulation presented in this report. Establishments also record electronically details for individual inmatessuch as date of birth, sex, religion, ethnic origin, custody type and reception and discharge dates and, forsentenced prisoners, offence and sentence length. These data are collected on a central computer databaseand are used to produce the various analyses of receptions, discharges and time served in custody. They alsoform the basis of detailed population breakdowns, supplementing the aggregates derived fromestablishments’ monthly population returns to which they are scaled for consistency.

2. Efforts are made to ensure the completeness and accuracy of the data, as far as is practicable.Establishments are not, however, always in receipt of the necessary details, notably regarding offences.Where the offence data are incomplete we use the category “offence not recorded”. Similarly “committaltype not recorded” is used in the tables for non-criminal prisoners in Chapter 1.

3. In general, the information given in this publication remains subject to the inaccuracies inherent in anylarge-scale, centralised recording system. While the figures shown have been checked as far as practicable,they must be regarded as approximate and not necessarily accurate to the last digit shown.

4. Where figures in the tables have been rounded to the nearest final digit, for instance when annualaverages or percentages have been calculated, the rounded components do not always add to the totalswhich are calculated and rounded independently.

5. The term “previous conviction” used in the tables refers to a court appearance at which there was afinding of guilt in respect of one or more offences. Estimates of the number of prisoners with previousconvictions have been derived from the large Home Office criminal database known as the OffendersIndex.

Reconviction data

6. The reconviction rate is defined as the proportion reconvicted at least once for a “standard list” offencewithin a given period (see paragraph 8 below). The results are based on a sample of those discharged fromPrison Service establishments and so are subject to sampling error. The 1999 discharge sample consisted of49 per cent of the total number discharged. The sample was stratified by age, sex, type of custody, type ofoffence, ethnic group and length of sentence. All results relate to age at sentence (except for table 9.10, forwhich age at discharge is used).

7. Under the sampling scheme different percentages of white male offenders aged 18 to 20 and over 21were selected depending on age and sentence length, but including all those imprisoned for robbery, sexualand drugs offences. All available records were included in the sample for other groups (ie female prisonersand males aged under 18 years at sentence). The sample of discharged prisoners is matched against theHome Office Offenders Index, a computerised database containing details of all convictions for “standardlist” offences since 1963, thus producing criminal histories of offenders. In practice it was not alwayspossible to match offender details of those discharged with details held on the Offenders Index (thisoccurred in 6 per cent of cases). Figures for numbers discharged and numbers reconvicted given in Chapter9 have been scaled up to reflect the fact that some offenders could not be found on the Offenders Index.

8. For those discharged in 1999, rates of reconviction within 2 years were obtained by identifying offendersin the sample whose criminal histories included any convictions in the 2 years following discharge.Appendices 4 and 5 of “Criminal Statistics, England and Wales 2001” give the list of offences included in the“standard list” and indicate the offence groups used in tables. These offences include all indictable and someof the more serious summary offences (eg. indecent exposure, assault on a constable and cruelty to orneglect of children) but exclude most summary motoring offences and other less serious summary offencessuch as drunkenness and prostitution. Several offences were added to the “standard list”

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on 1st July 1995 and 1st January 1996. All categories of common assault became standard list offences fromJuly 1995 onwards. From January 1996 the following became standard list offences: driving whilstdisqualified from holding a licence; driving or attempting to drive a motor vehicle while having breath, urineor blood alcohol concentration in excess of a prescribed limit; and dangerous driving when tried summarily.If these offences had not been included in the calculation of reconviction rates for 1994 to 1996, the rateswould have been around 1 to 2 percentage point lower for each year. The addition of these extra offences tothe standard list improves the extent to which discharged prisoners are matched to Offenders Index records.

Prison regimes, conditions and costs9. Various parts of the Prison Service record and collate the statistics described in chapter 11, primarily formanagement purposes and for measuring performance, especially the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).

Recording practicePolice cells

10. With the exception of Tables 1.1, 1.2, 1.3 to 1.4a, 1.7, 1.19 and 2.1, prisoners held in police cells falloutside the scope of this publication.

Counting of receptions11. There are 4 main categories of receptions - untried (i.e. awaiting commencement or continuation oftrial prior to verdict), convicted unsentenced (i.e. awaiting sentence), sentenced and non-criminal. In thetables on remand receptions, a person is generally counted separately once if received as untried and once ifreceived as convicted unsentenced for each fresh set of charges. A person first enters the remand populationwhen remanded in custody on or after his first appearance in court on a charge or summons. If subsequentlyreceived under sentence, he or she is counted in that category also. An individual may thus appear in thetables more than once in different categories or on separate occasions in one year. However, Table 1.1 alsoshows the remand figures with those received as untried and subsequently as convicted unsentencedcounted only once.

12. When a person is received under sentence and at the same time is dealt with for a non-criminal matter,or is already in custody under sentence for a criminal offence and is given a further criminal sentence or isdealt with for a non-criminal matter, only the initial reception for the criminal sentence is counted. Recallsto custody after release on licence or parole are excluded from the sentenced reception figures, but thosewhose original sentence had been re-activated because of a new offence committed during the ‘at risk’period are included. Persons transferred in from other countries, special hospitals or other non-PrisonService establishments are included in the appropriate category of reception.

Recording of offences13. When a person is received on sentence for several offences, or if a person is received on sentence and atthe same time is committed for a non-criminal matter, only the principal criminal offence is recorded in thetables. The basis of selection of the principal criminal offence is as follows:

(i) where a person is received on sentence for 2 or more criminal offences, the offence selected isthe one for which the heaviest sentence is imposed;

(ii) where the same sentences are imposed for 2 or more criminal offences the offence selected isthe one for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe.

The offence groups shown in this volume are broadly similar to, but not the same as, those shown inCriminal Statistics England and Wales.

Recording of length of sentence14. When a person is received on sentence for 2 or more sentences which have been passed at the sametime and ordered to run consecutively they are treated as one sentence equal in length to the sentencesadded together. In the case of concurrent sentences, the longest sentence is recorded. When a person isreceived to serve a period of imprisonment composed of a sentence for a criminal offence and a consecutiveperiod of imprisonment in connection with a non-criminal matter, the total period of imprisonment isrecorded against the criminal offence.

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Recording of ethnic group15. The current classification of ethnic group of a prisoner was introduced in October 1992 and iscongruent with that used for the 1991 Census of Population. It consists of 10 codes which can be groupedinto four broader categories as follows:

White White

Black – AfricanBlack – Caribbean BlackBlack – Other

}Asian – BangladeshiAsian – Indian South AsianAsian – Pakistani

}Asian – OtherChinese Chinese and OtherOther

}16. Prisoners are asked to choose the ethnic code that they feel is most appropriate; only if they refuse willthe officer assign a code, informing them which code has been chosen and giving them further opportunityto express their own preference. The information is then passed to the central computer system of inmaterecords from which the statistics are compiled. In 2003, the Prison Service started to introduce the ethnicityclassification based on the 2001 Census of Population.

Adults and young offenders17. In the statistics of receptions, adults are those aged 21 and over at the date of sentence and youngoffenders are those aged under 21; juveniles are young offenders aged under 18. In population tables, forinstance Table 1.3, “adults” include those aged 21 and over at the date of sentence and those sentenced todetention in a young offender institution who have had their sentence converted to imprisonment. The term“young offender” refers to those given a custodial sentence when aged under 21 who have not subsequentlybeen reclassified as adults, it therefore encompasses inmates under 21 and those who have reached 21 buthave not been reclassified.

Symbols

18. The following symbols are used in the tables:

.. = not available– = nil or negligible* = not applicabler = some figures in the column have been revised since the previous issue of this publicationp = figures are provisional

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GLOSSARY

ACR — Automatic Conditional Release.

Additional Days Awarded (ADA) — Disciplinary sanctions result in the award of additional days.

ADR — Automatic Days Remitted.

Affray — Threatened or actual use of unlawful violence towards a person in either private or public.

A list — List of category A prisoners.

APD — Approved Parole Date.

ARD — Automatic Release Date.

Association — A period of time when prisoners are out of their cells and can mix socially under supervision.

Attendance centre order — Offenders, aged under 21, may be ordered to take part in a structuredprogramme of activities on Saturday afternoons for a set number of weeks.

AUR — Automatic Unconditional Release — Prisoners sentenced from 12 months or more but less than 4years are released half-way through their sentence on licence. There is compulsory supervision up to thethree-quarters point of sentence.

Bail/remand in custody — A person who is arrested and charged for an offence, may either be released onbail on payment of a sum as surety or remanded in custody.

Breach — Persons failing to fulfil the requirements of either a court order or the conditions of a post-releaselicence.

Burglary — Entering a building as a trespasser with the intention of committing theft, rape, grievous bodilyharm or unlawful damage. If a person commits the above offence whilst in possession of a weapon orexplosive, the offence becomes aggravated burglary for which the maximum penalty is imprisonment forlife.

CALM — Controlling Anger and Learning to Manage it.

Category of prison — All adult male prisoners are categorised according to their security risk ranging fromCategory A, the highest risk offenders who are viewed as being the most dangerous to society, to CategoryD, normally men who are convicted of petty offences or classed as lower risk as they come to the end of longprison sentences. A category C prisoner is one who cannot be trusted in open conditions but who would nothave the ability or resources to make a determined escape attempt.

CC — Cellular Confinement (as a punishment for breaching prison rules).

Civil prisoners — Those that commit non-criminal offences and are not sentenced.

CJA — Criminal Justice Act.

CNA — Certified Normal Accommodation (the number of prisoners who can be accommodated withoutovercrowding). The Prison Service’s own measure of accommodation. CNA represents the good, decentstandard of accommodation that the Service aspires to provide all prisoners.

CNA (Baseline) — Baseline CNA is the sum total of all certified accommodation in an establishmentexcept, normally:

● Cells in punishment or segregation units.

● Healthcare cells or rooms in training prisons and YOIs that are not routinely used to accommodatelong stay patients.

CNA (In-Use) — In-Use CNA is baseline CNA less those places not available for immediate use, forexample: damaged cells, cells affected by building works, and cells taken out of use due to staff shortages.

Common Assault — An assault, or attempted assault where the occurrence did not result in an injury andrequired no medical attention.

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Community punishment orders — Offenders, aged 16 or over, are sentenced to unpaid work on behalf ofthe community involving a minimum of 40 hours and a maximum of 240 hours. Examples of activities areoutdoor conservation projects, building adventure playgrounds and decorating houses and flats for elderlyor disabled people.

Community punishment and rehabilitation orders — These were formally known as Combination Orders.Offenders, aged 16 and over, are subject to a joint order consisting of a 1 to 3 year community rehabilitationelement and community punishment element of between 40 and 100 hours. The rehabilitation element mayinclude additional requirements as for a community rehabilitation order.

Community rehabilitation orders — Offenders, aged 16 or over, are supervised by a member of theprobation service for a period from 6 months to 3 years. The court may include other requirementsconsidered appropriate, i.e. treatment for a mental condition, drug or alcohol dependency, attend anaccredited rehabilitation programme. Persons aged 17 or under can be sentenced to an equivalent ordercalled a supervision order.

Community sentences — The term community sentences combines community rehabilitation orders,supervision orders, community punishment and rehabilitation orders, community punishment orders,attendance orders, curfew orders, drug treatment and testing orders, action plan orders, reparation orders,parenting orders and drug abstinence orders.

Court of Appeal — Handles appeals against conviction or sentence at the Crown Court.

C & R — Control and Restraint (techniques used by officers when physical control is necessary).

CRD — Conditional Release Date.

Criminal supervision — This term covers the supervision of an offender for a fixed period of time.

Criminal Damage — Intentional and malicious damage buildings and vehicles.

Crown Court — Some defendants are committed for trial to the higher Crown Court. Trials are held beforea judge and jury. A magistrate may also commit an offender convicted at the magistrates’ court for sentenceat the Crown Court if the magistrate feels that their sentencing powers are not sufficient. Appeals againstconvictions or sentences passed by the magistrates’ court are also dealt with at the Crown Court.

CSCP — Cognitive Self Change Program.

Curfew order — An offender may be ordered to remain at a specified place for a certain period.Electronically monitored curfew orders are now being undertaken in England and Wales.

Determinate sentence — Any sentence of imprisonment imposed by the court for a set period (up to amaximum term given by the Act of Parliament that created the particular offence).

Discharge — An offender may be discharged either absolutely or conditionally. For an absolute discharge,no further action can be taken, whilst for a conditional discharge, the offender remains liable to punishmentif convicted of a further offence within a given period (not more than three years).

Discharge grant — Amount of money issued to prisoner on discharge — equivalent to one week’s SocialSecurity payment.

DCR — Discretionary Conditional Release — Prisoners sentenced to 4 years and over are eligible forparole at the half-way point of sentence. The Parole Board reviews all cases up to the two-third point ofsentence after which those not yet selected will automatically be released. Decisions on prisoners servingseven years and over are made by the Home Secretary. There is a compulsory supervision up to thethree-quarters point of sentence.

Dispersal Prisons — High security prisons holding Cat A and Cat B prisoners.

EDR — Earliest Date of Release.

Fine — At a magistrates’ court an offender may be fined a sum not exceeding £2,000 (£5,000 from 1 October1992) with higher fines possible at the Crown Court. Supervision of the collection of payment of fines at allcourts is by the magistrates’ court.

Foreign National — A person that is not a British Citizen.

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Fully suspended sentence — For an adult where the court decides that the offence seen in the light of theoffenders’ record is sufficiently serious to justify a sentence of not more than two years imprisonment, thesentence may be suspended for between 1 and 2 years. A further offence may result in the suspendedsentence being activated.

Homicide — Comprises the recorded crimes of murder, manslaughter and infanticide.

Immediate custody — This term includes detention in a young offender institution, unsuspendedimprisonment and, before 1 October 1992, a partly suspended sentence. Unless otherwise stated, it alsoincludes young persons detained under section 90-92 of the Powers of the Criminal Court (Sentencing) Act.

Implementation Quality Rating (IQR) — Determines the proportion of completions that an establishmentcan count towards the KPI target.

Indictable only offences — Offences for which an adult defendant must be tried at the Crown Court, forexample, robbery, arson and rape.

Juvenile — Under the age of 18.

KPI — Key Performance Indicator.

Licence Expiry Date — The date on which the prisoner’s period of compulsory supervision by theProbation Service ends. It applies to prisoners serving 12 months and over. It will normally be at thethree-quarters point but run to the end of the sentence for sex offenders or violent offenders if ordered bythe sentencing court under Section 58 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998.

Life sentence — A sentence of imprisonment of an indeterminate length. There are three types of lifesentence.

● A mandatory life sentence must be imposed on all persons convicted of murder (anyone found guiltyof murder committed when under the age of 18 must be sentenced to “detention during Her Majesty’spleasure”).

● A court may impose a discretionary life sentence as the maximum penalty for a number of the mostserious offences, for example, manslaughter, robbery and rape.

● An automatic life sentence must be imposed on all offenders who are convicted for a second time of aserious sexual or violent offence under Section 109 of the Powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act2000 (unless the court is of the opinion that there are exceptional circumstances).

Magistrates’ courts — The lower courts handle summary offences and triable-either-way offences notcommitted for trial. Cases are heard by part-time lay magistrates or full-time stipendiary magistrates.Defendants aged under 18 are tried in special Youth courts.

Non-criminal — Held for civil offences.

Non-Departmental Public Body — A Non-Departmental Public Body (NDPB) is a body which has a role inthe process of national government but is not a government department or part of one, and accordinglyoperates to a greater or lesser extent at arm’s length from Ministers.

There are three categories of NDPB:

● Bodies with executive, administrative, regulatory or commercial functions, which are generallydescribed as “executive” NDPBs;

● Advisory committees and commissions;

● Tribunals and other judicial bodies.

The Parole Board is an Executive Non-Departmental Public Body.

Non-Parole Release Date — The date on which a prisoner serving 4 years and over who has not beengranted parole must be released.

Offences of violence — This term groups together the offences of violence against the person, sexualoffences and robbery.

Parole Eligibility Date — The earliest date on which a prisoner may be released on parole.

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Pre- and post-release supervision — Supervision of offenders either pre-release or post-release fromcustody. This can be Statutory or Voluntary.

Remanded — Remanded in custody either awaiting trial or sentence.

Remand Centres — Institutions intended to hold offenders (particularly offenders under the age of 21), onremand, awaiting trial or the period directly after conviction or sentence.

Robbery — The use or threat of force to a person immediately before or at the time of theft.

Sentenced — Held in custody as a result of a sentence of criminal court. Persons committed in default of apayment of a fine, compensation order or costs are normally included in this group.

‘Standard list’ offences — A list of offences for which the name of the offender and details of each sentencehave been collected by the Home Office since 1963. These are linked by name/criminal record number toenable research studies into criminal histories to be undertaken. The offences cover all indictable (includingtriable-either-way) offences plus a number of summary offences e.g. assault on a constable, cruelty tochildren and criminal damage under £2,000 (and amended to £5,000 by the Criminal Justice and PublicOrder Act 1994). See paragraph 8 in Appendix 2 for more details.

Statutory supervision — Supervision is mandatory for all young offenders and adults sentenced to 12months or over since the introduction of the Criminal Justice Act 1991.

Summary offences — Offences which are normally tried in the magistrates’ court.

Theft — The dishonest appropriation of anothers’ property with the intention of permanently depriving theowner of it.

Triable-either-way — Offences which may be tried in the magistrates’ courts unless either the defendantelects for a Crown Court trial or the magistrate feels that a Crown Court trial is appropriate. Theftsincluding car crime and less serious violence against the person fall into this group.

Unsuspended imprisonment — The Crown court may impose a sentence of imprisonment for up to themaximum set out by Acts of Parliament, for example, life imprisonment for murder (for which it ismandatory), rape, robbery or 14 years for domestic burglary. A magistrates’ court is restricted to sentencesof imprisonment between five days and six months for any one offence. In addition, juveniles convicted atthe Crown Court of offences carrying a maximum sentence of imprisonment for an adult normally of 14years or more may be sentenced to be detained up to the adult maximum. Detainees are either held inPrison Service establishments or local authority community homes.

Voluntary supervision — Offenders in custody or within 12 months after their release may request helpfrom the probation service. For post Criminal Justice Act 1991 sentences, this is only available to adultsgiven less than 12 months.

Wounding — There are 2 types of wounding classifications used for recorded crime. The more serious arethose offences committed with intent to do grievous bodily harm and are classified as ‘wounding or other actendangering life’. Those of assault occasioning actual bodily harm are classified in the other ‘wounding’category.

Young offenders — Those given a custodial sentence when aged under 21 who have not subsequently beenreclassified as adults.

Young Offender Institution — Available for boys and girls aged 15 and over (boys aged 14 were held until1 October 1992). The programme assists the offender to develop personal responsibility, self-discipline,physical fitness and to obtain suitable employment after release. Juveniles of compulsory school age aregiven a minimum of 15 hours education a week. On release, the offender is supervised by a probation officerfor a period between 3 and 12 months.

Printed in the UK for The Stationery Office Limitedon behalf of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office

11/03 ID 156880 65536

The Home Office publishes about 40statistical bulletins each year, giving detailedinformation on special topics within theresponsibility of the Home Secretary. Someof these bulletins are published regularlyeach quarter:

Offences recorded by the police.The operation of the prevention ofterrorism legislation.Statistics of breath tests.

Others are issued annually, for example:

Summary fire statistics.Offences relating to motor vehicles.Statistics of the misuse of drugs.Cautions, court proceedings andsentencing.The prison population.

Other bulletins are issued on an ad hoc basis,for example:

Criminal careers of those born between1953 and 1973 (Issue 14/95). Theresults of a cohort analysis of theoffenders index which makes it possibleto link successive convictions of thesame individual.

The ethnic origins of prisoners (Issue21/94). This provides information aboutthe ethnic composition of the prisonpopulation 1985 to 1993 and contains adetailed study of the 1990 prisonpopulation.

A comprehensive list of bulletins issued inthe last year is available from:Home Office,Corporate Management Unit (RDS)Information and Publication Group50 Queen Anne’s GateLondonSW1H 9ATTelephone 020 7273 4179

25934 TSO Prison IBC 5/11/03 2:55 pm Page 1


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