PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Sentencing: Armed Forces (30 January 2018)

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many people who were currently serving or had previously served in HM Armed Forces were sentenced to custodial sentences in (a) men's and (b) women's prisons in each year since 2010.

Asked by:
Mr Toby Perkins (Labour)

We are unable to provide a breakdown as requested for those who have served in the armed forces. The Ministry began collecting data on service in the armed forces from 2015. All newly received offenders into custody (convicted or remanded) are now asked on reception if they have served in the armed forces. Latest figures published in October 2017 show approximately 3% of offenders who responded to the question were former members of the armed forces. This has been a similar level to the previous four quarters. Due to the very small number of female ex-armed service personnel in prisons this number is not split by gender.

Prisoners who choose to identify as veterans are given access to available specialist support via the armed forces. This includes support for issues such as post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), that may affect them following their service. Additional support can be offered by military service charities working with prisons and rehabilitation services.

Answered by:
Lucy Frazer (Conservative)
2 February 2018