§ Mr. StinchcombeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners committed suicide in England and Wales before(a)having their mental health assessed and (b)receiving treatment for mental health problems, for each of the last five years. [155402]
§ Paul GogginsThe data requested are not collated centrally and could only be provided by examination of individual case records, which would be at disproportionate cost.
Upon reception into prison, all newly received prisoners, plus those who change status, (for example by being convicted), and those transferred from another establishment, are assessed to determine whether they have any immediate physical and mental health needs.
The Department of Health and the Prison Service are working together to implement a revised reception health screening process during 2004. These new arrangements focus particularly on ensuring prompt and effective identification of those individuals with mental health problems, or who may be at risk of suicide/self-harm, so that they can be appropriately treated and cared for.