asked the Minister for Justice the number of prisons in the country.
97.
Written Answers. - Prisons Statistics.
91.
asked the Minister for Justice if he will give details of the skills obtained by prisoners in Irish prisons; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
98.
asked the Minister for Justice if he will give details of the type of work and recreation which prisoners engage in, in the prisons; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 91, 97 and 98 together. The information sought by the Deputy is contained in the annual reports on prisons and places of detention. The current position in relation to the matters raised by the Deputy has not changed from that set out in the annual report for 1985.
92.
asked the Minister for Justice the total number of prisoners under the age of 25; and the total number of prisoners over the age of 25.
On 1 January 1986 there were 976 offenders under 25 years of age and 763 offenders over 25 years of age in custody. During that year 2,344 offenders under 25 years of age and 2,269 offenders over 25 years of age were committed to custody.
93.
asked the Minister for Justice the total number of female prisoners in Irish prisons.
The number of female offenders in custody varies from day to day. The number in custody on Tuesday, 3 November was 39.
94.
asked the Minister for Justice the cost of keeping a prisoner in prison for one week.
96.
asked the Minister for Justice to indicate what it costs the earning population in the country, per capita, to keep a prisoner for one week.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 94 and 96 together.
The average cost of maintaining an offender in custody in the prisons and places of detention in 1986 was approximately £575 per week.
Based on the labour force survey of April 1986 which indicated that there were 1.075 million in gainful employment, the average cost per capita would be approximately £1 per week.
These figures do not include any element in respect of capital expenditure.
95.
asked the Minister for Justice the level of doubling-up in prison cells in the prisons.
At present 203 cells designed for single occupancy are each being used to accommodate two offenders.