§ Lord Aveburyasked Her Majesty's Government:
At what intervals prison staff are instructed to observe a prisoner who is the subject of "intermittent supervision" under SO13; whether they are instructed to keep a log of observations; how many prisoners who were the subject of "intermittent supervision" and higher levels of supervision have committed suicide since the beginning of 1990 and whether they will list in each case, the times at which the prisoner was observed prior to his suicide and the estimated time of the suicide.
Earl FerrersStanding Order 13.60 directs that, where a prisoner exhibiting marked depression or emotion cannot be located in a hospital ward, he should be located in a cell and observed at intervals of not less than 15 minutes. Circular Instruction 20/1989 advises that where, exceptionally, this is not possible, the Governor or Medical Officer may order the frequency to be reduced, but not below 30-minute intervals.
All establishments where regular supervision of prisoners is needed have "pegging" systems which record the times at which an officer completes each patrol of a landing. Where prisoners are placed in protective rooms, Circular Instruction 55/1990 requires staff to note down their observations in the Wing or Unit Occurrence book. There is no such requirement relation to prisoners on normal location.
During 1990 one prisoner died at his own hand while under a specific order by a medical officer for 52WA intermittent supervision because of a potential suicide risk. The prisoner concerned was last seen alive at 12.30 pm on 2nd March 1990, and the alarm was raised at 12.45 pm. He had died in the intervening period. Inquests on two prisoners, who died at their own hand during 1991 while under such supervision, have not yet been held. It would not be appropriate to give further information because of the sub judice rule.