HC Deb 16 January 1984 vol 52 c72W
Mr. McNamara

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many strip searches were carried out of women each month in Her Majesty's prisons and other detention centres in Scotland for the past year; what were the reasons for the searches; and what type of prison contraband was discovered as a result of the search and how much in each case.

Mr. Ancram

The numbers of strip searches of female prisoners carried out in Scottish prisons in each month of 1983 are as follows. Searches were made on admission, transfer and discharge, following visits and for routine and special security purposes. The main items of contraband found were cigarettes.

Number
January 380
February 317
March 255
April 290
May 277
June 343
July 378
August 348
September 333
October 275
November 299
December 321
Total 3,816