§ Mr. BeithTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many self-inflicted deaths occurred in prisons in the last year; what action his Department is taking to reduce the number of self-inflicted deaths; and if he will make a statement. [67933]
§ Mr. George HowarthThere were 83 self-inflicted deaths in prisons in England and Wales last year (80 male, 3 female). The Government are committed to doing everything possible to try to reduce the incidence of self-inflicted deaths in prisons. My noble Friend Lord Williams chairs a regular meeting between the Prison Service and a range of representatives from interested groups including: the Samaritans; Howard League; Prison Reform Trust; Inquest; and the Board of Visitors, to discuss how they can work more closely together. We welcome the current thematic review of suicide and self-harm conducted by Her Majesty Chief Inspector of Prisons, the report of which is soon to be published. We look forward to any recommendations he has in this important area of work.
The Prison Service is developing a range of additional measures including: identifying and dissemination of good practice by reintroducing a suicide awareness bulletin; reviewing screening and induction processes to identify those prisoners at risk more effectively so that they can be cared for appropriately; reviewing the use of unfurnished cells for the suicidal; improving cell design to provide a safer environment; identifying alternatives to the use of strip cell conditions in the care of the suicidal; and conducting further research into suicide and self-harm.
The Prison Service is also increasing the involvement of external interest groups through a regular working group and in projects and research into suicides. There has been for some time a close working relationship with the Samaritans, who of course have a great deal of expertise in this area. Listener schemes, whereby
368W
Education and work by prision 1995–98 1997–98 1996–97 1995–96 Education Work Education Work Education Work Acklington 2.8 17.9 3.5 17.6 3.3 16.9 Albany 3.9 17.2 2.5 13.5 4.9 16.3 Aldington 5.4 22.5 5.0 22.0 — — Ashwell 6.5 21.1 6.7 20.5 7.5 20.0 Askham Grange 9.6 10.0 8.6 9.3 9.0 17.8 Aylesbury 6.3 7.9 6.7 9.1 8.1 9.3 Bedford 3.6 17.5 3.8 19.7 4.1 19.3 Belmarsh 2.3 7.5 2.0 8.4 2.3 10.7 Birmingham 0.9 8.7 1.1 10.2 1.8 11.9 Blakenhurst 3.5 10.8 — — — — Blantyre House 7.3 11.9 8.3 12.9 9.4 12.7 Blundeston 5.9 13.9 5.8 12.6 4.9 12.6 Brinsford 2.0 8.4 2.7 9.0 3.7 10.4 Bristol 1.2 13.8 0.7 13.6 1.7 15.0 Brixton 1.2 11.6 1.5 11.1 1.9 1.1 Brockhill 7.0 16.3 6.2 19.4 6.6 21.5 prisoners offer support to fellow prisoners, are now established in over two thirds of prisons in England and Wales, the majority of which are supported by the Samaritans.
In addition, instructions and guidance to staff on caring for the suicidal are being re-examined and are soon to be issued as a new Prison Service Order.