Vol. 410 No. 6
99 Mr. McCartan asked the Minister for Justice the average annual cost of keeping a person in custody for each of the past five years; the way in which these figures are arrived at; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The estimated annual cost of the operation of the prisons system per head of the prisoner population for each of the last five years was approximately as follows: 1986, £30,000; 1987, £28,000; 1988, £27,000; 1989, £28,000; 1990, £31,000.
The figures do not include any element in respect of capital expenditure. They are arrived at by taking the annual gross expenditure for the Prisons Vote, as shown in the Appropriation Accounts, deducting Appropriations-in-aid and expenditure not connected with the running of the prisons, probation and welfare service and community service orders scheme, and adding relevant costs borne on other Votes, superannuation and teachers' salaries.
