The prison population in England and Wales on March 31, 1988 was 50,500 or an increase of 1,000 from the previous year. The main increase was in prisoners serving sentences of more than 4 years for men and 3 years for women. Much of the prison crowding occurs in local prisons and detention centers. A total of 1,494 adult males were separated from others for their own protection. Seventy-two new cases of HIV infection were reported by medical officers during the year. Thirty-seven inmates committed suicide during 1987-88. The Scottish Prison Service has 20 penal facilities with a design capacity of 5,764 spaces. Females are kept apart from males, and those under 21 are kept apart from adults. Prison staff have become increasingly involved in criminal and civil proceedings involving complaints against or by inmates. A national committee periodically inspects Scottish correctional facilities.