§ Mr. A. Cecil WalkerTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many and what type of violent incidents have occurred(a) between prisoners and (b) between prisoners and prison officers in Crumlin Road prison during each of the last three years; how many prisoners and prison officers have been involved; and what injuries have been sustained in each case.
§ Mr. MatesDetails of violent incidents in Her Majesty's prison Belfast during the last three years are as follows:
1990 1991 1992 Incidents between prisoners 28 71 65 Number of prisoners involved 96 179 148 Incidents in which prisoners directly attacked prison officers 12 17 29 Number of prisoners involved 11 72 42 The violence usually takes the form of fisticuffs or the throwing of hot liquid.
33WDetails of the number of officers involved in these incidents are not recorded but the following numbers of officers were injured as a result of prisoner-initiated violence:
Number 1990 100 1991 132 1992 84 Most injuries were sustained when officers intervened in fights between prisoners.
Details of injuries sustained by prisoners and officers in each case are not recorded centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. However, apart from the bomb explosion on 24 November 1991, as a result of which two prisoners died, the most serious injury sustained by a prisoner was a broken leg. In most cases any injuries sustained were minor cuts and/or bruises. Injuries sustained by officers included serious scalding and fractures of the wrist and jaw.