HC Deb 16 February 1988 vol 127 cc591-2W
Mr. McNamara

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many strip searches were made of female prisoners in Her Majesty's prison, Maghaberry in January 1988, giving the number of persons involved and number of times each person was searched and if 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 what were the reasons for the search under each of the following headings: making a remand appearance at court, attending trial, inter-prison visit or other reasons.

Mr. Stanley

The information requested is as follows:

Number of Searches Number
Total number of searches carried out 33
Total number of inmates searched 25
Number of prisoners searched once 17
Number of prisoners searched twice 8
Number of prisoners searched three times or more
Reasons for Search
First admission on remand/awaiting trial 11
First admission on sentence/final discharge 16
Attending Newry Remand Court 1
Going on or returning from home leave 2
Inter-prison visits 1
After a visit 2

No prohibited article was found during these searches and no prisoner refused to be searched.