NCJ Number
125068
Date Published
1989
Length
157 pages
Annotation
The average population of persons in custody in England and Wales, including those held in police cells, was about 49,950 in 1988, 1,000 higher than in 1987.
Abstract
The population in custody rose rapidly during the first few weeks of 1988, from 47,400 at the end of the previous year to a peak of 50,700 in the middle of March. Much of this rise was due to the usual reversal of the seasonal fall during the prior Christmas. The population in custody at the end of 1988 was higher than a year earlier, and this rise was more than accounted for by an increase of 2,000 in the population of males sentenced to over 18 months. There was an offsetting fall in the remand population, with most of the decrease among males under 21 years of age. The change in the sentenced population's composition reflected different movements in sentenced receptions. In 1988, the total number of sentenced receptions, excluding fine defaulters, was about 4 percent lower than in 1987. Further increases in receptions of adults sentenced to medium or long-term sentences of over 18 months were balanced by decreases among persons sentenced to short periods of up to 6 months. The decrease in sentenced receptions was associated with a drop in the proportionate use of custody. Changes in the population in custody between 1984 and 1988 are also evaluated, and legislation relevant to the population in custody is reviewed. Statistical data are presented for remand prisoners, young offenders, adult male and female prisoners, noncriminal prisoners, fine defaulters, life sentence prisoners, and reconvictions. 105 tables, 14 figures.