§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many strip searches were made of female prisoners in Her Majesty's prison, Armagh, in October and November, respectively; if he will give the number of persons involved and the number of times each person was searched; whether any prison contraband, smuggled item or illegal correspondence was discovered in any search, indicating which items; in how many cases prisoners refused to be searched and had to be restrained while the search was being conducted; and if he will 444W indicate the reasons for the search, namely, making an appearance at Armagh court-house on remand, attending trial, inter-prison visit or other reasons.
§ Mr. ScottDuring October 1985, 42 searches were carried out on 23 prisoners; seven prisoners were searched once, 14 were searched twice, one was searched three times and one prisoner was searched on four occasions. During November 1985, 26 searches were carried out on 16 prisoners; seven prisoners were searched once, eight were searched twice, and one prisoner was searched three times. No prohibited article was found during these searches and no prisoner refused to be searched. Searches were carried out in the following circumstances:
October November First admission on remand and awaiting trial 11 5 First admission on sentence and final discharge 12 9 Attending Armagh remand court — — Attending other remand courts 1 — Attending trial 1 — Bail court appearances 12 4 Home leave scheme 1 3 Inter-prison visits 2 2 Other reasons 2 3 Total 42 26