§ Ms. PrimaroloTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the number of(a) suicides and (b) attempted suicides for (i) prisoners and (ii) those on remand in prison for each year for 1985 to 1989.
§ Mrs. RumboldThe number of deaths at their own hand of inmates at Her Majesty's prison service establishments for each year from 1985 to 1989 is shown in the table. A figure is also given for the number of incidents of self-injury in 1989 which were regarded as attempted suicide. Information about the status of inmates who attempted suicide is not readily available. Only partial information is available on the number of suicide attempts in earlier years.
Number of deaths at own hand of inmates at Her Majesty's Prison Service establishments 1985–1989 Deaths at Own Hand1 Year Unconvicted Convicted Total Attempted suicides 1985 19(16) 10(7) 29(23) — 1986 14(12) 7(5) 21(17) — 1987 229(28) 17(14) 46(42) — 1988 21(19) 16(12) 37(31) — 1989 27(18) 21(16) 48(34) 543 1 The figures in brackets denote number of deaths for which a verdict of suicide was returned at the coroner's inquest. 2 Includes one inmate who was detained under the Immigration Act and who was not therefore on remand.