§ 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 December; 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 December 1985 a total of 34 searches were carried out on 21 prisoners; 10 prisoners were searched once, 10 were searched twice, and one prisoner was searched on four occasions. No prohibited 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 11 First Admission on sentence or on final discharge 4 Attending Armagh remand court 1 Attending other remand courts 1 Attending trial 3 Bail Court appearance 10 Going on, or returning from, home leave 4 TOTAL 34