HC Deb 16 June 1997 vol 296 c6W
Mr. Oaten

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in each of the last five years, how many prisoners have committed suicide(a) at HMP Winchester and (b) in total; if he will list the dates of all suicides committed at HMP Winchester; and if he will make a statement. [1086]

Ms Joyce Quin

The number of self-inflicted deaths at Winchester prison and for the whole prison estate over the requested period is shown in the table. For Winchester, the individual coroners' verdicts were as follows:

  • 1993: open
  • 1994: suicide
  • 1996: 1 x open; 1 x suicide
  • 1997: inquests still outstanding.

The Prison Service is committed to doing everything possible to reduce the likelihood of suicides occurring and is continuing to research prevention strategies.