§ 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 March; if he will give the number of persons involved and 405W 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 indicate the reasons for the search, namely, making an appearance at Armagh courthouse on remand, attending trial, inter-prison visit or other reasons.
§ Mr. ScottOn 18 March Her Majesty's prison Armagh closed and the prisoners were transferred to Her Majesty's prison Maghaberry (female).
In respect of both establishments, during March 1986 a total of 36 searches were carried out on 22 prisoners; 10 prisoners were searched once, 10 were searched twice and two prisoners were searched on three occasions. No prohibited article was found during these searches, and no prisoner refused to be searched. Searches were carried out in the following circumstances:
Numbers First admission on remand or whilst awaiting trail 8 First admission on sentence or on final discharge 10 Attending Armagh remand court nil Attending other remand courts 7 Attending trial 1 Bail Court appearances 7 Going on, or returning from, home leave 3 Total 36