§ Mr. Soleyasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether women prisoners who are (a) up to six months' pregnant and (b) six to nine months' pregnant are 201W required to undergo strip searches; and what facilities are made available to monitor the emotional effects of a strip search on the prisoner.
§ Mr. PriorAny prisoner may be required to undergo a strip search. All such searches are conducted as sensitively as possible. Whilst there are no special facilities for monitoring the effects of the search procedures, prison rules provide for prison medical officers to inform the governor of any matter relating to the treatment of prisoners which requires consideration on medical grounds and the governor is required to support prison medical officers in their care of prisoners' health.