§ Mr. Alex CarlileTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners under 21 years old have committed suicide in custody in each year since 1979; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. Rumbold:[holding answer 6 November 1991]: The information requested is set out in the table:
Deaths of prisoners aged under 21 at their own hand in Her Majesty's prison service establishment 1979–912 Number 1979 5 1980 3 1981 3 1982 4 1983 3 1984 6 1985 3 1986 5 1987 7 1988 9 1989 11 1990 9 19911 31 1 (to 4 November). 2 Includes all deaths which appear to have been deliberately self-inflicted, whether or not a verdict of suicide was recorded at the inquest. 3 Inquests have yet to be held on 3 other prisoners under 21 who have died in 1991.