This is an extract taken from Hansard Parliment written answers 2006
Mr. Sutcliffe: The following table shows the total amount of wages paid to prisoners in public sector prisons over the past five years. This information is not available for private sector prisons. It is a matter for individual contractors how they record their expenditure.
Total amount paid (£)
2005-06
29,614,080
2004-05
28,097,260
2003-04
26,469,070
2002-03
24,520,007
The total amount for each year represents an average weekly wage per prisoner of approximately £8.00.
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http://www.publications.parliament.u...61010w0010.htm