Imprisonment in England and Wales

The Howard League has published interesting data about the Prison Population in England and Wales at week ending 28th August 2015- Howard League Prison Watch

There are disturbing aspects to the figures.  For example, the fact that 4,614 people are held on the now abolished indeterminate IPP sentences, of whom 3,532 (77 per cent) have passed their tariff expiry date.  Also, the number of deaths in custody continues to be high.

See earlier posts on IPP sentences - 27th October 2011- 20th September 2012 - 11th October 2012 and 11th December 2014 -

 Ministry of Justice statistics show that on 30 June 2015 there were:

• 11,785 men, women and children are held on remand in prison
• 6,279 people are serving short sentences (less than 12 months)
• 4,614 people are held on the now abolished indeterminate IPP sentences, of whom 3,532 (77 per cent) have passed their tariff expiry date

And that between January and March 2015:

• There were 25,555 first receptions into custody
• 10,641 people were sent to prison to serve a short sentence (less than 12 months)

Deaths in custody:

In the first six months of 2015 there were 123 deaths in custody:

• 70 people died of natural causes
• 43 deaths were self-inflicted
• 5 homicides
• 5 deaths are yet to be classified

Report on deaths in custody in 2014

The Howard League routinely monitors all deaths in prisons. The Leagure has joined with a number of organisations to sign a letter to the Prime Minister, led by the charity Sense in Science, to raise awareness about the late registration of cause of death following a death requiring an inquest; there are still some deaths in prison dating back to 2010.

Earlier post on Deaths in Prisons - 10th March 2015.