United Kingdom prison population

The United Kingdom has three distinct legal systems with a separate prison system in each.

England and Wales has one of the highest rates of incarceration in Western Europe, with Scotland close behind: In 2006 an average of 148 people in every 100,000 were in prison, just ahead of Scotland with 139 per 100,000. [ [http://www.kcl.ac.uk/depsta/rel/icps/world-prison-pop-seventh.pdf World Prison Population List (seventh edition) 2006] ]

Prison population

As of July 2006 the total prison population of the UK stood at 87,000.

Prison population of England and Wales

There are 139 prisons in England and Wales, and as of February 2008, the number of prisoners was just over 82,000 which exceeded "operational capacity". [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7258725.stm UK prisons now 'over-capacity'] BBC News February 22nd 2008]

Prison population in Scotland

There are 15 prisons in Scotland with most being run by the Scottish Prison Service. As of 14 July 2006 the Scottish prison population was 7,076. [cite web | title=Scottish Prison Population | url= http://www.sps.gov.uk/Default.asp?menuid=219] This had risen to 7,609 by February 14th, 2008. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/tayside_and_central/7239339.stm Women prison numbers 'shameful'] BBC News]

Prison population in Northern Ireland

There are 3 prisons in Northern Ireland.As of 26 June 2006, the Northern Ireland Prison Service reported a prison population of 1,447, including 3 immigration detainees not convicted or charged with any offence. This represents an incarceration rate of 81 per 100,000 population, significantly lower than that in England and Wales. [cite web | title=Northern Ireland Weekly Prison Population | url=http://www.niprisonservice.gov.uk/facts_updated.cfm | accessmonthday=December 12 | accessyear=2005]

References

External links

* [http://www.sps.gov.uk Scottish Prison Service]
* [http://www.niprisonservice.gov.uk Northern Ireland Prison Service]