§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many strip searches were made of female prisoners in Her Majesty's prison in Maghaberry in April and May, respectively; 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 on remand, attending trial, inter-prison visit or other reasons.
§ Mr. ScottDuring April 1986, 51 searches were carried out on 31 prisoners: 14 prisoners were searched once, 14 were searched twice and three prisoners were searched on three occasions. During May 1986, 38 searches were carried out on 25 prisoners: 14 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:
April 6 May First admission on remand or whilst awaiting trial 6 7 First admission on sentence or on final discharge 29 17 Attending remand courts — 2 Attending trial 2 — Bail court appearances 9 7 Going on or returning from home leave 5 2 Inter-prison visits — 2 Attendance at police station (section 16 Prison Act (NI) 1953) — 1 Total 51 38