§ Mr. Michael MorrisTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he proposes any changes to prison service procedures for the prevention of inmate suicides.
§ Mr. HurdWe have today issued a new circular instruction (CI 20/1989) to prison governors, which restates and reinforces my Department's suicide prevention strategy. The new instruction re-emphasises the importance we attach to staff support for suicidal inmates, and the main procedural change it makes is to reduce unnecessary documentation when inmates are first received in custody, so that the time saved can be used for fuller assessment of suicide risk at this crucial stage. The establishment of a suicide prevention management group at all establishments will also be mandatory. A copy of the new circular instruction is being placed in the Library.