§ Mr. BattleTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is prison policy on the use of strip cells for persons who have attempted suicide; and if counselling is available for those who last attempted suicide.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggGuidelines on the use of stripped rooms for suicidal inmates are set out in paragraph 33 of circular instruction 20/1989, a copy of which is in the Library. Counselling is normally available to all inmates from prison staff, particularly medical officers, chaplains and seconded probation officers; the help of Samaritans is also now available to prisoners at a substantial number of establishments.
§ Mr. BattleTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the usage of strip cells in Armley and Hull prisons in 1988 and 1989; how many cells exist; for what purpose they are used; and how long each person is held.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggI shall write to the hon. Member as soon as possible and deposit a copy of the reply in the Library.