§ 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 January; 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 indicate the reasons for the search, namely, making an appearance at Armagh courthouse on remand, attending trial, inter-prison visit or other reasons.
§ Mr. ScottDuring January 1986, a total of 49 searches was carried out on 27 prisoners; eight prisoners were searched once, 16 were searched twice, and three prisoners were searched on three occasions. No prohibited494W article was found during these searches, and no prisoner refused to be searched. Searches were carried out in the following circumstances:
Number First admission on remand or whilst awaiting trial 10 First admission on sentence or on final discharge 19 Attending remand courts 2 Bail Court appearances 10 Going on, or returning from, home leave 8 Total 49