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UK: Prison population highest in Europe

01 November 2005

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The UK prison population is the highest in western Europe, according to statistics collated by the Howard League. The UK jails 140.4 people in every 100,000, and jails more under 18s (2,742 at present) than any other European state except Ukraine. The UK prison population as a percentage of its general population is 50% higher than France. The UK has the third largest female prison population of the 32 European states surveyed, and the highest number of young adults (18-21 year olds) in jail, at 8,514. Frances Crook, for the Howard League commented that the use of incarceration was "seemingly indiscriminate. We have to end this country's obsession with custody." She went on to ask "Is this really where we want to be?" The lack of concern from government at the continuing rise in the prison population suggests that such is, indeed, where ministers want us to be.

Howard League 18.1.06

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