HC Deb 07 January 2004 vol 416 cc421-2W
Dr. Vis

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many people have been prevented from committing suicide in 2003;[145088]

(2) how many people are in a persistent vegetative state as a result of attempting to hang themselves in prisons.[145092]

Paul Goggins

The Prison Service is aware of one case of a prisoner in a persistent vegetative state as a result of attempting to hang themselves in prison. Prison Health (now a part of the Department of Health) do not collate this information centrally

In 2003 (to 31 October), 176 prisoners in England and Wales have been resuscitated following acts of self-harm, which reflect a considerable amount of staff effort and expertise. Many more prisoners are supported through periods of crisis with the help of numerous agencies and support mechanisms available to them in custody. All prisons offer access to the Samaritans, and most prisons operate peer support schemes, most commonly the Samaritans Listener Scheme. Further avenues of support include counselling and help with a range of issues including: substance misuse, healthcare, mental health problems and contact with home.