HC Deb 21 February 1985 vol 73 cc539-41W
Mr. Hume

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many remand prisoners have been subjected to strip searches in each of the past three years; and what is the total number of strip searches of remand prisoners.

Mr. Scott

Records are available only in respect of female remand prisoners at Her Majesty's prison Armagh since 1 June 1984. These are as follows:

Month Number of searches of women remand prisoners
June 1984 2
July 1984 5
August 1984 2
September 1984 2
October 1984 2
November 1984 2
December 1984 1
January 1985 2

No prisoner was searched more than once in any calendar month.

Mr. Hume

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in what situations it is the policy for strip searching of prisoners to be carried out on a random basis.

Mr. Scott

Randon strip searches are conducted when required to maintain security and deter the carrying of illicit articles.

Mr. Hume

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how many individual strip searches in each of the past three years were ordered by prison governors;

(2) how many individual inmates were selected for strip searching in each of the past three years by (a) members of the governing grades other than prison governors and (b) uniformed officers; and how many of these inmates were remand prisoners.

Mr. Scott

The information requested is not available.

Mr. Hume

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement detailing the instructions given to staff who carry out strip searches explaining how the searches are to be carried out.

Mr. Scott

The general principles are set out in rule 9 of the Prison Rules (Northern Ireland) 1982 and rule 10 of the Young Offenders Centre Rules (Northern Ireland) 1982 which provide that a prisoner shall be searched in as seemly a manner as is consistent with discovering anything concealed, that a prisoner shall not be given a strip search in the sight of another prisoner, and that a search shall not be conducted by or in the presence of an officer of the opposite sex. The more detailed procedural instructions given to prison officers require two officers to be in attendance to permit the checking of clothing and a brief visual search.

Mr. Hume

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement detailing the policy he has laid down regarding strip searches within which prison governors are responsible for such searches.

Mr. Scott

Under the policy approved by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, prisoners are routinely strip-searched on admission to and discharge from prison and before going on inter-prison visits. On other occasions the searches are carried out on a random basis.

Mr. Hume

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement detailing prison rules in accordance with which strip searching may be carried out on a random basis and responsibility for selecting inmates delegated to uniformed officers.

Mr. Scott

Rule 9 of the Prison Rules (Northern Ireland) 1982 provides for prisoners to be searched by an officer on reception into prison, and at such subsequent times as the governor may authorise subject to any direction of the Secretary of State.

Mr. Hume

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many complaints have been made against members of staff arising out of strip searches in each of the past three years.

Mr. Scott

The information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost, but so far as I am aware there have been few complaints directed against members of staff as a result of strip searches.

Mr. Hume

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement outlining the complaints procedure within Northern Ireland prisons detailing how complaints arising out of strip searches are processed; with whom the complaint must be lodged; who investigates the complaint; what evidence is taken into consideration;what right of representation the complainant has; and who or what authority decides whether the complaint is upheld and whether action should be taken against a member of staff.

Mr. Scott

I shall reply to the hon. Gentleman as soon as possible.

Mr. Hume

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on how many occasions a prison governor has drawn the attention of the medical officer to a prisoner whose physical or mental condition appeared to require attention during or following a strip search.

Mr. Scott

I am not aware of any such occasions.

Mr. Hume

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many strip searches took place in January; how many prisoners were involved; and how many of these were remand prisoners.

Mr. Scott

Records are available only in respect of female prisoners at Her Majesty's prison Armagh. During January 1985, 36 searches were carried out on 26 women. Individual prisoners were searched the following number of times:

Number of prisoners Number of searches in each case
1 3
8 2
17* 1
* This figure includes two remand prisoners each of whom was searched once.

Mr. Hume

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many complaints have been received in each of the past three years regarding the alleged presence or conduct of male prison officers during strip searches of women prisoners.

Mr. Scott

As I said in my answer to the hon. Gentleman on 29 January, at column 142 male officers have never been present during such searches. I am unaware of any complaints concerning their alleged presence or conduct from persons with direct knowledge of the search arrangements.