§ Mr. Litherlandasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what criteria are used before women are strip-searched in prisons (a) in general circumstances and (b) before attending a remand hearing in Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. ScottWomen prisoners are strip-searched as a matter of routine on reception, before discharge and before going on an inter-prison visit. On other occasions, including attendance at remand hearings, searches take place on a random basis.