HC Deb 07 May 1985 vol 78 c330W
Mr. Kilroy-Silk

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners who committed suicide in 1984 at penal establishments had been identified as suicide risks but were not under any form of special observation.

Mr. Mellor

There were 22 deaths in prison establishments in 1984 on which the inquest returned a verdict of suicide. In seven of these cases the prisoner's records had been marked at some time during his imprisonment with an 'F' to denote suicide risk, but the prisoner was not under special watch at the time of the suicide.

Mr. Kilroy-Silk

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of those who committed suicide in penal establishments in 1984 were (a) alcoholic, (b) drug addicts and (c) mentally ill.

Mr. Mellor

The information which is available centrally on the 22 deaths in prison establishments in 1984 on which the inquest returned a verdict of suicide is as follows:

History of Alcohol Abuse History of Drug Abuse Diagnosis of Mental Illness
Yes 6 7 6
No 2 2 12
Not Known 14 13 4

Mr. Kilroy-Silk

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if, in line with the recommendations of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector or Prisons, the phenomenon of suicide in prison is being monitored and studied more fully; and if education and training courses for staff have been developed to enhance their knowledge of prevention procedure and their understanding of suicidal behaviour;

(2) if he will detail the changes made for the prevention of suicides in penal establishments following the report of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons on suicide in prison;

(3) what progress has been made on implementing the recommendations of the Chief Inspector of Prisons ' report on suicides in prison.

Mr. Mellor

When my right hon. and learned Friend announced publication of the report by Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons on suicide in prisons on 3 September last, he said that he broadly accepted the report's recommendations and had set up a group to look in more detail at the issues raised and to consider any other ideas which might be put forward. The group will complete its work in the autumn. Prior to the chief inspector's report, procedures were changed in June last year to require fuller reports from governors on suicides in prison under circular instruction 33/1984, a copy of which is in the Library.