The higher prison population in 1994 continued the trend started in 1993 but followed a steep fall during 1992. In addition, the higher prison population in 1994 reflected the increased use of custody for both remands and sentencing in 1993, partially reflecting the implementation of the Criminal Justice Act of 1993. The prison population increased by 2,500 in 1994, from 46,800 in December 1993 to 49,300 in December 1994. The population held in police cells averaged 173 in 1994, compared to 24 in 1993 and 1,080 in 1992. Both remand and sentenced populations rose rapidly during the first half of 1994, but the rate of increase slackened during the second half of the year. The remand population rose by 800 in 1994, and the sentenced population increased by 1,800. There were 60,800 sentenced receptions in 1994, 16 percent more than in 1993 and the highest number since 1989. Receptions of untried prisoners, totaling 56,800 in 1994, were 4 percent higher than in 1993. The average female prison population rose by 16 percent in 1994 to 1,810, the highest level ever. The ethnic minority prison population in June 1994 totaled 8,200, 70 percent of whom were of British nationality. 12 notes, 7 tables, and 8 figures