HC Deb 27 March 1986 vol 94 cc550-1W
Mr. Janner

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many prisoners died in prisons in Northern Ireland during each of the past five years for which records are available; what ages were the deceased; how many of such deaths were from natural causes; how many were from terminal illnesses; and, in respect of these, when he was notified that the prisoner was suffering from a terminal illness.

Mr. Scott

The information for the years 1981–85 inclusive is as follows:

Year Deaths Age Number
1981 *11 23 2
24 1
25 2
26 3
27 1
30 1
40 1
1982 None
1983 None
1984 †2 28 1
34 1
1985 ‡2 23 1
42 1
* Including one in an outside hospital after the prisoner had undergone heart surgery; the others were prisoners who had taken part in a prolonged hunger strike.
† One in an outside hospital following injuries sustained in the course of an attempted escape in a bin lorry; one suicide.
‡ Both suicides.