§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what estimate he has made of the number of drug dependent prisoners currently detained in prisons in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement. [9201]
(2) for what reasons women convicted of terrorist offences are routinely strip-searched when leaving or returning to prison from periods of parole; and how many women prisoners were strip-searched in each of the last five years; [9171]
(3) what representations he has received in respect of discrimination against women convicted of terrorist offences. [9280]
§ Sir John Wheeler[holding answer 16 December 1996]Responsibility for the subjects in these questions has been delegated to the Prison Service under its chief executive, Mr. Alan Shannon. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter from Alan Shannon to Mr. Max Madden, dated 16 December 1996:
557WThe Secretary of State has asked me to reply to the 3 Parliamentary Questions you have tabled. You requested the information regarding:the number of drug dependent prisoners currently detained in prisons in Northern Ireland;the reasons why women convicted of terrorist offences are routinely strip-searched when leaving or returning to prison from periods of parole and how many women were strip-searched in each of the last 5 years; andwhat representations the Secretary of State has received in respect of discrimination against women convicted of terrorist offences.There are currently no persons detained in prisons in Northern Ireland who are registered as being drug dependent.Full searching (referred to as strip-searching in your question) is a necessary measure to maintain prison security. A full search is a visual search only and at no time is the prisoner entirely undressed. Prison staff do not have the power to conduct any body cavity search although they may require prisoners to open their mouths.All prisoners (male and female) are routinely full searched when leaving or returning to the prison to inhibit the passage of items such as explosives, weapons, drugs and other contraband into and out of the prison in order to reduce the risk of escape and for the general safety of prisoners, staff and visitors.The average female population and the number of female committals in each of the last 5 calendar years was:—
Average female population Number of female committals 1996 to 31st October 1996 30 169 1995 35 159 1994 41 198 1993 40 158 1992 41 166 As to the question of representations made to the Secretary of State, I regret we do not keep statistics in a form which would enable us to answer it.
I hope that this information is helpful.