In a letter hidden in the House of Commons Library, Hanson, who hassince moved to the Home Office, blamed an "administrative error" for therelease of the incorrect figure.
Figures released in Parliament in April suggested that between April2008 and March this year, 671 young people under 18 were remanded incustody for seven days or less.
But Hanson's letter, sent to Liberal Democrat MP David Howarth, whotabled the question, reveals the true figure is 1,308.
Experts argue that such a short period served on remand implies theaction may not have been necessary in the first place.
Penelope Gibbs, director of the Prison Reform Trust, said the figure isfar too high and action should be taken to reduce it.
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