Scottish Government

PRISON STATISTICS SCOTLAND, 2001

1. Introduction

1.1 This bulletin on Scottish prison statistics forms part of The Scottish Executive Justice Department series of bulletins on aspects of the criminal justice system.

1.2 The format of the bulletin has not changed significantly this year. We have continued to provide disaggregate information on the age and gender of prisoners introduced in the 1997 bulletin. This more gender specific information has been provided to satisfy the Government Statistical Service commitment to publishing more gender based information and also in response to a recommendation in the report Women Offenders: A Safer Way published in May 1998 seeking improved gender specific information relating to offenders to be published by The Scottish Executive. We have again presented figures which distinguish the average population of prisoners in prison in default of payment of a fine, and information on the population of persons recalled from supervision/license. Details and historical figures are included in the Annex.

1.3 Detailed tables can be found in the Appendix and explanations of the terms and classifications used throughout the bulletin are provided in the Annex.

Chart 1 Average daily prison population, 20 ^th - 21 ^st Century

3. Key points

• In 2001 the average daily population in Scottish prisons totalled 6,137, an increase of 5 per cent when compared with the 2000 figure of 5,869 and the highest annual level ever recorded.
• The 2001 figures show an average of 960 remand prisoners, 4,526 adult sentenced prisoners and 650 sentenced young offenders. The average population of remand prisoners was some 7 per cent higher in 2001 than in 2000. This increase and the 5 per cent increase in the average population of adult sentenced prisoners entirely accounted for the rise in the total prison population between 2000 and 2001.
• The average daily female prison population increased throughout most of the last decade and in 2001, the average daily female prison population increased from 203 to 249, an increase of 23 per cent.
• The figures presented distinguish the average population in prison in default of payment of a fine. Because fine defaulters spend only a short time in prison, they represent only a very small proportion of the average daily prison population. In 2001, the average population of fine defaulters was 62, compared to 61 in 2000.
• The average daily remand population in 2001 was 960 (901 males and 59 females - an increase of 7 per cent when compared with the figure of 894 experienced in 2000. Young offender remand numbers increased by 6 per cent from 229 in 2000 to 242 in 2001, while adult remand numbers increased by 8 per cent to 718.
• The average number of sentenced young offenders was 650 in 2001, a decrease of just under 1 per cent compared with the 2000 figure of 654. The number of male sentenced young offenders fell from 624 to 623 in 2001 and the number of female sentenced young offenders decreased from 30 in 2000 to 27 in 2001.
• The average daily adult sentenced population was 4,526 in 2001, an increase of 5 per cent compared with the 2000 figure of 4,319. There was a 6 per cent increase in the average number of adult prisoners serving sentences of less than 6 months (from 451 in 2000 to 478 in 2001). The average daily adult population serving sentences of 6 months and less than 2 years increased to 927 in 2001, an increase of 14 per cent. The number of prisoners serving sentences of 2 years and less than 4 years increased slightly (less than 1 per cent).
• The number of long-term prisoners, those sentenced to 4 years or more (including recalls), increased by 2 per cent from 2,362 in 2000 to 2,409 in 2001. This was entirely due to a 4 per cent increase in the number of adult sentenced prisoners serving life or a sentence under Section 205 of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 which rose from 549 in 2000 to 569 and an increase from 127 to 188 in the numbers in prison following recall from licence. The average number of adult prisoners serving sentences of 4 years or over (excluding life) decreased by 2 per cent to total 1,652 in 2001.
• Forty-two per cent of the sentenced population were detained for serious crimes of violence, for example, murder, serious assault and robbery and a further 18 per cent were detained for crimes of dishonesty (mainly housebreaking and other theft). All those sentenced for crimes of indecency were male. The largest group of sentenced male prisoners detained on 30 June 2001 for a specific crime were those convicted of serious assault, though the groups convicted of drugs offences, homicide and robbery, were nearly as large. The largest group of female prisoners were those detained for 'drugs offences', though the group convicted specifically for other theft was the next largest group.
• Remand receptions increased from 13,945 in 2000 to 15,433 in 2001, an increase of 11 per cent. The total number of receptions under sentence increased by 2 per cent between 2000 and 2001, from 18,916 to 19,247. This increase was due to a 7 per cent increase of direct sentenced receptions which rose by 818 to reach 12,031 in 2001. There was a decrease of 487 (6 per cent) in the number of receptions for persons who were imprisoned for defaulting on payment of a fine which fell from 7,703 in 2000 to 7,216 in 2001. This continued the decrease of 10 per cent noted between 1999 and 2000.
• Total young offender direct sentenced receptions decreased in 2001 by 3 per cent. There were 2,277 male and 137 female receptions of young offenders under direct sentence in 2001. This compares with 2,352 males (3 per cent reduction) and 148 females (7 per cent decrease) in 2000. The number of young offender direct sentenced receptions in 2001 was the lowest level experienced since 1991.
• Total adult direct sentenced receptions increased in 2001 by 10 per cent. There were 9,086 male and 531 female receptions of adults under direct sentence in 2001. This compares with 8,300 males and 413 females in 2000, increases of 9 per cent and 29 per cent respectively.
• The number of male fine default receptions decreased by 6 per cent from 7,087 in 2000 to 6,672 in 2001, following a decrease of 11 per cent between 1999 and 2000. The number of female receptions for fine default decreased by 12 per cent, from 616 in 2000 to 544 in 2001; following on from a decrease of 2 per cent between 1999 and 2000.
• In Scotland there were 121 prisoners for every 100,000 members of the general population in 2001. The rates for England and Wales and Northern Ireland were 126 and 51 respectively. Imprisonment rates varied greatly between the jurisdictions considered; from 690 per 100,000 population in USA and 663 in Russia to 58 in Denmark and 41 in Japan.

4. The prison population in 2001 ( Tables 1 to 11)

Although the change described in this note does not directly affect the 2001 data, attention should be drawn to Annex Note 2.1 which describes a change in the data collection procedures with effect from 1 April 1996. The change resulted in some changes to the population time series. In summary, the changes were to the overall sentence length categories of prisoners. For example, some prisoners are now classified in the '6 months - less than 9 months' category when previously they may have been classified (under the manual system) in the '3 months - less than 6 months' category.

Total numbers ( Tables 1 to 3)

4.1 In 2001 the average daily population in Scottish prisons totalled 6,137, an increase of 5 per cent when compared with the 2000 figure of 5,869. This is the highest ever recorded. There were, on average, 960 remand prisoners, 4,526 adult sentenced prisoners and 650 sentenced young offenders. The remainder included those persons sentenced by civil courts and persons awaiting deportation. The average daily female prison population increased throughout most of the 1990's and despite some slight decreases in 1995 and 1997, peaked at 212 in 1999, before falling in 2000 to 203. In 2001, the average daily female prison population increased from 203 to 249, an increase of 23 per cent.

4.2 Over the ten year period, 1992 - 2001, the average daily prison population has increased by 17 per cent; from 5,257 in 1992 to 6,137 in 2001. Over the same period the female prison population has increased by 58 per cent; almost four times the growth experienced in the male prison population (up 15 per cent).

Chart 2 Average daily prison population, by category of prisoner, 1980-2001

4.3 The figures presented distinguish the average population in prison in default of payment of a fine. Because fine defaulters spend only a short time in prison, they represent only a very small proportion of the average daily prison population. In 2001, the average population of fine defaulters was 62, compared to 61 in 2000.

4.4 The average daily population figure conceals fluctuations which occur on a weekly, quarterly and annual basis. A study of nightly lock-up figures, received daily from the Prisoner Records System (PRS), shows that prisoner numbers are at their highest mid-week and lowest on a Friday. Prisoners cannot be released on a Saturday or Sunday therefore any prisoners who have liberation dates falling at the weekend are released on the Friday. Thus, the Friday night lock-up figure is low because it reflects the population after the liberations for Friday, Saturday and Sunday have taken place. The average daily population usually rises significantly during the first half of the year and in particular during the period January to March. In 2001, the population increased from 5,911 in the first quarter, to 6,265 in the second quarter (an increase of 6 per cent). The corresponding increase in 2000 was 1.6 per cent. During 2001, the lowest prison population was 5,498 recorded on 5th, 6th and 7th January 2001 and the highest population was 6,385 on 27th June 2001. The lowest and highest figures recorded in 2000 were 5,532 and 6,103 respectively.

Chart 3 Average daily prison population, 1997 - 2001, by week

Population by establishment ( Table 4)

4.5 Table 4 illustrates the range of establishments within the Scottish Prison Service estate. At the end of December 2001 there were 16 penal establishments in Scotland. There was also a special prison, HMP Zeist, which was a temporary Scottish Prison in Holland used to hold two prisoners on trial for alleged involvement in the Lockerbie bombing. In addition, there were 9 Legalised Police Cells which could be used to detain prisoners. (These tend to be located in more rural areas and are primarily used to detain prisoners temporarily for court attendance etc.). Of the 16 establishments in Scotland, 14 cater mainly for adult prisoners. There is one dedicated young offenders institution (Polmont) and 3 young offenders institutions which are incorporated within the main prison (Cornton Vale, Dumfries and Glenochil). Cornton Vale continues to be the only all female establishment in the Scottish Prison Service estate.

4.6 The average daily prison population smoothes the peaks and troughs in prisoner numbers experienced during the year. Table 4 details the maximum populations experienced within each establishment during 2001 thus enabling comparisons of the average and maximum figures to be made. Across the whole estate the maximum population was 6,385 some 4 per cent greater than the average daily population of 6,137. Within individual establishments (excluding Zeist) the maximum population ranged from 2 per cent above the average daily population (Peterhead) to 45 per cent above the average daily adult population (Dumfries).

Remand numbers ( Table 5)

4.7 The 2001 figures show an average of 960 remand prisoners (901 males and 59 females. The average population of remand prisoners was some 7 per cent higher in 2001 than the 2000 figure of 894. This increase and the 5 per cent increase in the average population of adult sentenced prisoners accounted entirely for the rise in the total prison population between 2000 and 2001. Young offender remand numbers increased by 6 per cent from 229 in 2000 to 242 in 2001, although the majority of the overall increase was due to an increase of 8 per cent in adult remand numbers (from 665 in 2000 to 718 in 2001). Looking at differences between types of remand, the vast majority (82 per cent) of the increase in 2001 was due to a rise in the average daily population of untried prisoners, which increased by 7 per cent from 789 in 2000 to 843. The average daily population of those prisoners who were convicted awaiting sentence increased by 10 per cent to 117 in 2001.

Sentenced young offenders ( Tables 6 to 6B)

4.8 The average number of sentenced young offenders was 650 in 2,001, a decrease of just under 1 per cent compared with the 2000 figure of 654. The number of male sentenced young offenders fell from 624 to 623 in 2001 and the number of female sentenced young offenders decreased from 30 in 2000 to 27 in 2001.

Chart 4 illustrates the young offender average daily sentenced population between 1992 and 2001.

4.9 The average daily population of sentenced young offenders for all sentence length categories remained relatively unchanged in 2001.

Chart 4 Average daily young offender sentenced population, 1992-2001

Sentenced adults ( Tables 7 to 7B)

4.10 The average daily adult sentenced population was 4,526 in 2001, an increase of 5 per cent compared with the 2000 figure of 4,319. There was a 6 per cent increase in the average number of adult prisoners serving sentences of less than 6 months (from 451 in 2000 to 478 in 2001). The average daily adult population serving sentences of 6 months and less than 2 years increased to 927 in 2001, an increase of 14 per cent. The number of prisoners serving sentences of 2 years and less than 4 years increased slightly (less than 1 per cent).

4.11 The number of long-term prisoners, those sentenced to 4 years or more (including recalls), increased by 2 per cent from 2,362 in 2000 to 2,409 in 2001. This was entirely due to a 4 per cent increase in the number of adult sentenced prisoners serving life or a sentence under Section 205 of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 which rose from 549 in 2000 to 569 and an increase from 127 to 188 in the numbers in prison following recall from licence. The average number of adult prisoners serving sentences of 4 years or over (excluding life) decreased by 2 per cent to total 1,652 in 2001.

Chart 5 illustrates the adult average daily sentenced population between 1992 and 2001.

4.12 The male adult sentenced population increased by 4 per cent between 2000 and 2001 from 4,191 in 2000 to 4,364 in 2001 and the female adult sentenced population increased from 128 in 2000 to 162 in 2001.

Chart 5 Average daily adult sentenced population, 1992 - 2001

Population as at 30 June 2001

4.13 The data collected from the Prisoner Records System enables more in-depth investigation of the profile of the Scottish prison population than was previously possible from the information submitted on manual returns by establishments. The following sections attempt to provide a summary of key aspects of the prison population on a particular day - 30 June, 2001. On this day there were 6,262 prisoners in total, 6,005 males and 257 females.

Age ( Table 8)

4.14 Previously, the only age distinction made in relation to the population was whether the prisoner was a young offender or an adult. Table 8 provides detailed information on the age of prisoners by sex as at 30 June. Less than one third of prisoners were under the age of 25, one fifth of all prisoners were aged between 25 and 29, a further 18 per cent were aged between 30 and 34 and 12 per cent were aged between 35 and 39. This age distribution is similar to that in 2000.

Main crime/offence of remand and sentenced prisoners ( Table 9)

4.15 Table 9 details, for remand and sentenced prisoners in custody on 30 June 2001, the main crime/offence for which they were detained. Forty-two per cent of the sentenced population were detained for serious crimes of violence, for example, murder, serious assault and robbery and a further 18 per cent were detained for crimes of dishonesty (mainly housebreaking and other theft). All those sentenced for crimes of indecency were male. The largest group of sentenced male prisoners detained on 30 June 2001 for a specific crime were those convicted of serious assault, though the groups convicted of drugs offences, homicide and robbery, were nearly as large. The largest group of female prisoners were those detained for 'drugs offences', though the group convicted specifically for other theft was the next largest group.

Security category ( Table 10)

4.16 In 2001 there were five possible security categories which could be assigned to a prisoner, from category A, the highest security level, to category D the lowest. A category of 'limited D' was also available exclusively for life sentence prisoners who could participate in activities approved by the First Minister for the purposes of testing his/her suitability to be assigned security category D. Table 10 details the security category distribution of prisoners by sex. The proportion of prisoners assigned the highest security category (category A) was very small (less than 0.5 per cent). The majority, 66 per cent, were assigned category B with a further 27 per cent assigned category C. Of the remainder, 7 per cent were assigned category D and 1 per cent were assigned 'limited D' status. Security categories of all prisoners are reviewed at least once each year.

Ethnic origin ( Table 11)

4.17 Section 306 of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 requires the Secretary of State to publish such information as he sees fit to assist those engaged in the administration of criminal justice to avoid discriminating against persons on the grounds of race or gender. In this regard, Table 11 describes the ethnic origin of prisoners who were in custody in Scottish prisons on 30 June 2001. The figures include those persons who were awaiting deportation. Ethnic minority groups represented 2 per cent (133 prisoners) of the total prison population on 30 June 2001 (including persons awaiting deportation). The proportion of ethnic minorities in the Scottish population as a whole is around 1.3 per cent.

]