HC Deb 13 January 1986 vol 89 c458W
Mr. John Fraser

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many strip searches have taken place in Brixton prison in the last 12 months.

Mr. Mellor

This information is not available.

Mr. John Fraser

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department to what extent reasonable suspicion is a pre-condition of the carrying out of strip searches in Brixton prison.

Mr. Mellor

Strip searches as a routine security measure, for example, before and after court appearances, after visits, at the time of cell changes and during wing and cell searches, are not restricted to occasions when an officer has a reasonable suspicion that the particular prisoner has an unauthorised article concealed about his (or her) person. Where an officer has such reasonable suspicion, a special search may be carried out on the authority of the governor, deputy governor or chief officer.