§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many deaths, and from what causes in each case, occurred in penal establishments in 1983.
§ Mr. HurdA total of 44 prisoners died in penal establishments in England and Wales in 1983. The causes as determined by coroners' inquests are as follows:
Natural causes:
- Asphyxia, epileptiform fit
- Severe myocardial ischaemia due to coronary artery atheroma
- Asthmatic condition
- Peritonitis
- Myocardial degeneration due to coronary stenosis due to coronary atheroma
- Coronary occlusion
- Asphyxia, status epilepticus
- Acute left ventricular failure, coronary atherosclerosis
- Heart attack
- Inhalation of vomit fluid during a fit
- Myocardial infarction
- Heart failure left ventricular hypertrophy suboartic stenosis, myocardial ischaemia
- Coronary thrombosis, coronary atheroma
- Acute respiratory failure subsequent to asthmatic attack with associated chest infection
- Myocardial infarction, coronary occlusion, atheroma
- Hypertropic cardio myopathy/broncho-pneumonia
Suicide:
- Asphyxia by hanging (19 cases)
- Died after cutting wrist with razor blade
Misadventure:
- Massive pulmonary embolism due to leg vein thrombosis
- Asphyxia by hanging (2 cases)
- Cerebral anoxia, drug and alcohol withdrawal and hepatitis due to chronic alcohol and drug abuse
- Heart attack
- Asphyxia due to toxic fumes from cell fire
Open:
- Asphyxia by hanging (2 cases)
- A further 20 prisoners died in or en route to hospital.