Asked by: Lord Bradley (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask His Majesty's Government how many (1) males and (2) females, aged (a) 15 to 17, (b) 18 to 20, (c) 21 to 24, (d) 25 to 29, (e) 30 to 39, (f) 40 to 49, (g) 50 to 59, (h) 60 to 69, (i) 70 to 79 and (j) 80 and over, are currently in prison, categorised by offence.
Answered by Lord Timpson - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)
The answer to this question has been provided as an attachment alongside this response. Table 1 contains the number of male prisoners broken down by alleged/proven offence groups and age bands, as at 30 September 2025, England and Wales. Table 2 contains the number of female prisoners broken down by alleged/proven offence groups and age bands, as at 30 September 2025, England and Wales.
The figures presented are based on the total prison population and therefore include those held on remand, those sentenced and non-criminals.
Asked by: Lord Weir of Ballyholme (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask His Majesty's Government how many prisoners recorded as transgender women who either still retain genitalia or have a history of sexual or violent offences have been granted an exemption by a Minister to serve their sentence in a male prison.
Answered by Lord Timpson - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)
The latest available figures for transgender prisoners are set out in the table below:
| 31 March 2025 |
All reported transgender prisoners with a GRC | 9 |
(no further breakdowns provided) |
|
All reported transgender prisoners without a GRC | 339 |
(further breakdowns provided below) |
|
|
|
Biological sex |
|
Biological sex female | 63 |
Biological sex male | 276 |
|
|
Self-identified gender identity |
|
Female | 247 |
Male | 64 |
Non-binary | 18 |
Other (one of identifying in a different way, not recorded/not stated) | 10 |
|
|
Women's establishments |
|
Number of transgender prisoners in women's estates | 64 |
Transgender women (biological sex male, self-identifies as female) | ~ |
Transgender men (biological sex female, self-identifies as male) | 61 |
Other (one of non-binary, identifying in a different way, or not stated/not known) | ~ |
|
|
Men's establishments |
|
Number of transgender prisoners in men's estates | 275 |
Transgender women (biological sex male, self-identifies as female) | 245 |
Transgender men (biological sex female, self-identifies as male) | ~ |
Other (one of non-binary, identifying in a different way, or not stated/not known) | ~ |
The Ministerial exemption process only applies to the placement of transgender women (defined in HMPPS as biological males who identify as females) in women's prisons. Transgender women with birth genitalia and/or any history of violent or sexual offending can only be placed in the general women's estate in exceptional circumstances and where an exemption has been granted by Ministers. No transgender women have received such an exemption under this Government.
Asked by: Lord Weir of Ballyholme (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask His Majesty's Government how many transgender women are currently serving a prison sentence.
Answered by Lord Timpson - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)
The latest available figures for transgender prisoners are set out in the table below:
| 31 March 2025 |
All reported transgender prisoners with a GRC | 9 |
(no further breakdowns provided) |
|
All reported transgender prisoners without a GRC | 339 |
(further breakdowns provided below) |
|
|
|
Biological sex |
|
Biological sex female | 63 |
Biological sex male | 276 |
|
|
Self-identified gender identity |
|
Female | 247 |
Male | 64 |
Non-binary | 18 |
Other (one of identifying in a different way, not recorded/not stated) | 10 |
|
|
Women's establishments |
|
Number of transgender prisoners in women's estates | 64 |
Transgender women (biological sex male, self-identifies as female) | ~ |
Transgender men (biological sex female, self-identifies as male) | 61 |
Other (one of non-binary, identifying in a different way, or not stated/not known) | ~ |
|
|
Men's establishments |
|
Number of transgender prisoners in men's estates | 275 |
Transgender women (biological sex male, self-identifies as female) | 245 |
Transgender men (biological sex female, self-identifies as male) | ~ |
Other (one of non-binary, identifying in a different way, or not stated/not known) | ~ |
The Ministerial exemption process only applies to the placement of transgender women (defined in HMPPS as biological males who identify as females) in women's prisons. Transgender women with birth genitalia and/or any history of violent or sexual offending can only be placed in the general women's estate in exceptional circumstances and where an exemption has been granted by Ministers. No transgender women have received such an exemption under this Government.
Asked by: Lord Weir of Ballyholme (Democratic Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask His Majesty's Government how many prisoners recorded as transgender women are currently serving their sentence in a male prison.
Answered by Lord Timpson - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)
The latest available figures for transgender prisoners are set out in the table below:
| 31 March 2025 |
All reported transgender prisoners with a GRC | 9 |
(no further breakdowns provided) |
|
All reported transgender prisoners without a GRC | 339 |
(further breakdowns provided below) |
|
|
|
Biological sex |
|
Biological sex female | 63 |
Biological sex male | 276 |
|
|
Self-identified gender identity |
|
Female | 247 |
Male | 64 |
Non-binary | 18 |
Other (one of identifying in a different way, not recorded/not stated) | 10 |
|
|
Women's establishments |
|
Number of transgender prisoners in women's estates | 64 |
Transgender women (biological sex male, self-identifies as female) | ~ |
Transgender men (biological sex female, self-identifies as male) | 61 |
Other (one of non-binary, identifying in a different way, or not stated/not known) | ~ |
|
|
Men's establishments |
|
Number of transgender prisoners in men's estates | 275 |
Transgender women (biological sex male, self-identifies as female) | 245 |
Transgender men (biological sex female, self-identifies as male) | ~ |
Other (one of non-binary, identifying in a different way, or not stated/not known) | ~ |
The Ministerial exemption process only applies to the placement of transgender women (defined in HMPPS as biological males who identify as females) in women's prisons. Transgender women with birth genitalia and/or any history of violent or sexual offending can only be placed in the general women's estate in exceptional circumstances and where an exemption has been granted by Ministers. No transgender women have received such an exemption under this Government.
Asked by: Caroline Johnson (Conservative - Sleaford and North Hykeham)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 21 May 2025 to Question 51904 on Prisoners: Gender Recognition, how many of the prisoners with a Gender Recognition Certificate are biological (a) males and (b) females.
Answered by Nicholas Dakin - Vice Chamberlain (HM Household) (Whip, House of Commons)
The latest published data (a snapshot from 31 March 2024) shows that there were 10 prisoners known to have a Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC). The full data report can be viewed here: HMPPS Offender Equalities Report 2023/24 - GOV.UK.
Because the number of prisoners who hold a GRC is so low, we are unable to provide further information beyond the total figure (including other personal characteristics and location) as this risks disclosing which individuals hold a GRC, which is an offence under Section 22 of the Gender Recognition Act 2004.
Asked by: Lord Bradley (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that women released from prison (1) that have served a short sentence, and (2) that were not sentenced following remand, receive support from the Probation Service.
Answered by Lord Bellamy
One of the strategic aims of the Female Offender Strategy Delivery Plan 2022-25 (Jan 2023) is to protect the public through better outcomes for women on release. We will work to reduce reoffending rates for women leaving custody, focusing on what we know works: a home, a job and access to treatment for substance misuse.
Contracts for holistic rehabilitative services for women deliver bespoke and specialist support to sentenced women (including those that have served short sentences) after their release from prison. These services support women to meet their resettlement and rehabilitative needs, including: help to find accommodation; help to find education, training or employment; support to meet finance, benefit and debt-related needs; help to address dependency issues; support to improve relationships with family or significant others; and support for their emotional wellbeing and social inclusion. These services are available post-release to all women who are subject to Probation supervision and we continue to explore how we might support those released unsentenced.
All women in prison, including those on remand, are supported to meet their immediate resettlement needs and prepare for release by probation staff in prisons and maintain accommodation whilst in prison respectively. This includes sustaining accommodation on reception where possible, making referrals for accommodation and signposting women towards specialist advice for finance and debt support.
A Short Sentence Function is being implemented in all regions which will work with all people on probation with ten months or fewer to serve in prison. This will enable them to be fast tracked and offered direct engagement.
Asked by: Lord Bishop of Gloucester (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask His Majesty's Government how many restricted status prisoners were held in the female estate in each of the last 10 years.
Answered by Lord Bellamy
A Restricted Status (RS) prisoner is any female, young person or young adult prisoner, convicted or on remand, whose escape would present a serious risk to the public and who is required to be held in designated secure accommodation.
The table below provides the overall total figure for the specified year for those held in the female estate.
A remanded female prisoner classified as RS is subject to review on an annual basis up until the time of their trial unless further information is received to suggest that an earlier review of their RS status is required.
Following completion of their trial and if convicted and sentenced, the prisoner will then have their First Formal review which will decide whether RS remains warranted.
| Total |
2012 | 11 |
2013 | 11 |
2014 | 8 |
2015 | 11 |
2016 | 12 |
2017 | 19 |
2018 | 20 |
2019 | 17 |
2020 | 18 |
2021 | 18 |
2022 | 19 |
2023 | 21 |
Asked by: Lord Blencathra (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government how many prisoners in the female prison estate have been assessed as lacking capacity in accordance with the Mental Capacity Act 2005 in each of the last five years.
Answered by Lord Markham - Shadow Minister (Science, Innovation and Technology)
The information requested is not held centrally.
Asked by: Lord Blencathra (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask His Majesty's Government how many women in prison were sectioned under the Mental Health Act 1983 in each of the last five years.
Answered by Lord Bellamy
Under sections 47/49 and 48/49 of the Mental Health Act 1983, the Secretary of State may authorise by warrant the transfer of female prisoners to a secure hospital, where he is satisfied that the criteria for detention are met.
The number of women prisoners transferred to hospital in each of the last five years are:
2021 – 184
2020 - 181
2019 - 213
2018 - 192
2017 – 180
The data for 2022 are not currently available, they are due for publication later this year.
Asked by: Lord Blencathra (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government how many women in prison were registered as having disabilities in each of the last five years; and of those, how many had (1) physical, and (2) learning, disabilities.
Answered by Lord Markham - Shadow Minister (Science, Innovation and Technology)
The information requested is not currently held centrally as it has not yet been validated.