HC Deb 03 November 1975 vol 899 c33W
Mr. Stonehouse

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many suicides have taken place in Her Majesty's prisons during the past 12 months, and where; and in which cases he has ordered inquiries to be made.

Dr. Summerskill

12 during the 12 months ending on 31st October. They occurred at Birmingham (two), Brixton (two), Chelmsford, Leeds (two), Lewes, Liverpool, Norwich, Risley (two). Inquiries are carried out by the Prison Department into the circumstances of every case of suicide; but we have ordered no special inquiry into any case in the past 12 months.

A coroner's inquest is held in the case of every death occurring in a prison.