HC Deb 08 May 1985 vol 78 cc405-6W
Mr. Kilroy-Silk

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many attempted suicides there were in each penal establishment in 1984 and so far in 1985.

Mr. Mellor

This information is not yet available.

Mr. Kilroy-Silk

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is satisfied with the measures taken at Pentonville prison to prevent suicides.

Mr. Mellor

A recent suicide at Pentonville revealed that there had been a failure in the procedure for checking on inmates at the beginning of the day; the governor has taken action to remedy this and I am not aware of any other specific points of this kind that need attention at Pentonville. I naturally regret the two suicides that have taken place in the prison so far this year, but, taking the figures for the last five years, it is clear that suicide is no more frequent at Pentonville than at other comparable establishments.

Mr. Kilroy-Silk

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the age, sex, prison and accommodation occupied by each of those who committed suicide in penal establishments in 1984.

Mr. Mellor

The available information is as follows. Details of the location of the prisoners concerned are not recorded centrally.

Age Sex Prison
1. 44 Male Brixton
2. 31 Male Brixton
3. 33 Male Parkhurst
4. 37 Male Parkhurst
5. 27 Male Norwich
6. 53 Male Wormwood Scrubs
7. 17 Male Swansea
8. 19 Male Pentonville
9. 23 Male Brixton
10. 47 Male Durham
11. 26 Male Norwich
12. 22 Male Exeter
13. 37 Male Leeds
14. 24 Male Preston
15. 44 Male Portsmouth
16. 43 Male Exeter
17. 27 Male Brixton
18. 37 Male Shrewsbury
19. 26 Male Lewes
20. 24 Male Wandsworth
21. 34 Male Wakefield
22. 37 Male Brixton