Vol. 482 No. 3
300 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the total number of prisoners currently incarcerated in this jurisdiction; the number of male and female prisoners; the average cost per year of keeping a prisoner within the system; the average increase in cost over the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17571/97]
The total number of prisoners in custody on 23 October 1997 was 2,539 of which 2,470 were male and 69 were female. The average annual cost of keeping a prisoner in custody in 1996 was approximately £46,140. This figure does not include any element in respect of capital expenditure or expenditure not connected with the running of prisons, for example, costs incurred by the probation and welfare service. However, relevant costs borne on other votes, such as superannuation and teachers' salaries, are included. The increase in the cost of keeping an offender in custody over the past five years was £2,358 per annum.
