HC Deb 19 April 1983 vol 41 c69W
Mr. Grylls

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners died in prison in 1981–82 and in 1982–83; and what proportion of these deaths were of mentally-ill prisoners.

Mr. Mellor

During the year 1 April 1981 to 31 March 1982, 60 inmates died in prison department custody. Four were considered by prison medical officers to be mentally disordered within the meaning of the Mental Health Act 1959 and of these three were diagnosed as being mentally ill. The corresponding figures for the year 1 April 1982 to 31 March 1983 were 68; two; and two.