§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many strip searches of female prisoners have taken place in prisons in England and Wales from 1 November 1982 until the nearest convenient date.
§ Mr. MellorNo central records are held; the following information which has been obtained from establishments holding female prisoners relates to strip searches carried out during routine cell searches and special searches authorised by the governor, deputy governor or chief officer. The total number of searches recorded is 1,430 between 1 November 1982 and 13 March 1983 inclusive. In addition, standing instructions provide that every prisoner is to be strip searched on every reception into, and discharge from, a prison establishment and on location in the segregation unit.