§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) when and for what reasons strip searches have been introduced for prisoners in Armagh prison;
(2) how many prisoners in Armagh prison have been subjected to strip searches: on how many occasions; and for what reasons.
§ Mr. PriorThe search procedures at Armagh prison were introduced in November 1982 in the interests of security and the safe custody of inmates. In the period up to 1 March 1983, 97 prisoners had been searched on a total of 772 occasions. The need for such searches will continue to be kept under review.
§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether prisoners in Armagh prison are subject to strip searches during their menstrual periods; and whether any have refused such a search during that time.
§ Mr. PriorYes; but when a prisoner says that she is menstruating a woman hospital officer is called and is present at the search. One prisoner has refused to cooperate with the search on this ground.
§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many representations he has received concerning strip searches of prisoners in Armagh prison; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. PriorAbout 30 letters have been received, including five from Northern Ireland and 14 from the Republic of Ireland. In addition, about 90 stereotyped letters have been received from the United States of America.
243WThe search procedures at Armagh are the same as those used in prisons in Great Britain holding similar categories of prisoners. The search is a brief visual one, carried out by one woman prison officer, and there is no contact with the prisoner. Such searches are conducted in the interests of security and the safe custody of inmates. The need for them is kept under review.
§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many prisoners in Armagh prison, on how many occasions and for what purposes, have been placed in solitary confinement; how many with only a mattress and Bible; how many with only a mattress; and on how many occasions the mattress was removed.
§ Mr. PriorSince 1 March 1982 there have been 51 serious offences against prison rules by 22 women prisoners in Armagh which have led to awards of cellular confinement as a punishment. Seven of these awards were made by the board of visitors, and the remainder by the governor.
The number of occasions on which the prisoners concerned were awarded cellular confinement is as follows:
Occasions cellular confinement awarded Number of prisoners Number 10 1 8 2 1 3 1 5 1 7 1 10 It is normal practice for a prisoner on cellular confinement to have her mattress removed at breakfast time; it is returned late in the afternoon. All such prisoners have a Bible in their cell, and items of furniture are not removed.
§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on how many occasions prison visitors were present at the strip searches of prisoners in Armagh prison; whether the prisoners had the right to refuse to be strip searched before prison visitors; whether any objected to the presence of prison visitors when being strip searched; and with what results.
§ Mr. PriorOn one occasion two women members of the board of visitors, who under prison rules have access to all parts of the prison, asked three prisoners if they would agree to the members watching the search procedure so that they could report to the full board. I understand that none of the prisoners objected but that, if they had done so, the board members would have respected their wishes.
§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for Northern Irelad what categories of prisoners, other than those convicted or on remand for scheduled offences, are subject to strip searches at Armagh prison.
§ Mr. PriorOnly 10 women prisoners at Armagh have been convicted of, or are on remand for, offences other than scheduled offences. All prisoners are liable to the same search procedures on entering or leaving the prison.
244W
§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how many officers engaged in strip searches at Armagh prison have medical qualifications; and if he will list the qualifications held in each case;
(2) on how many occasions a doctor has been present at the strip searches of prisoners at Armagh prison.
§ Mr. PriorThe women officers who carry out the search procedures do not have medical qualifications; only hospital officers have these. However, the search involves only a brief visual inspection—no contact is involved—and it has not been necessary to ask a doctor to be present during such a search.
§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland why Catherine Creaney, at present in prison in Armagh prison, was placed in solitary confinement from 31 January to 7 February with only a mattress and a Bible; why for three of those days she was without a mattress; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. PriorMiss Creaney was confined to her cell from 1 February to 6 February 1983 as a punishment awarded for offences against prison rules. Between 22 September 1982 and 3 February 1983, Miss Creaney was found guilty of 23 separate offences, 13 of which involved actual or threatened assault.
At all times during her period of cellular confinement, she was able to retain in her cell her chair, bed and Bible. Her mattress was removed from breakfast time to late afternoon. On no occasion was she left without her mattress at night.