HC Deb 11 May 1990 vol 172 c264W
Mr. Cox

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the number of serious incidents in prisons in England and Wales for 1990 to date.

Mr. Mellor

The following numbers of incidents are recorded as having been reported by prison service establishments between 1 January and 8 May 1990 under the broad headings shown, excluding incidents under headings categorised as minor:

Number
Escapes 32
Attempted escapes 4
Escapes from escort 35
Attempted escapes from escort 3
Recapture/surrender of escaped inmates 35
Assaults—on staff 24
—on inmates 57
—on others 6
Deaths of inmates believed to be suicide 14
Other deaths of inmates 13
Deaths of staff 2
Fires causing personal injury, or serious and/or extensive damage to property 7
Acts of concerted indiscipline 48
Barricade incidents 7
Rooftop demonstrations 21
Food refusals 28
Key/lock compromises 4
Hostage incidents 8
Bomb threats/explosions 17
Other miscellaneous incidents 25