HL Deb 23 October 1997 vol 582 c218WA
Lord Hylton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What was the outcome of the meeting between the Prison Ombudsman and the Minister responsible for prisons, due to take place on or after 13 October; and in particular whether progress was made concerning effective and independent investigations of deaths and suicides among prisoners and immigration detainees.

Lord Williams of Mostyn

A coroner's inquest already provides an independent investigation into every death in Prison Service custody, which is also subject to an internal investigation by the Prison Service. The Prison Service is currently considering whether its internal investigation reports should in future be made public. In the light of the outcome of this review, we will consider whether there is a case for extending the Prison Ombudsman's remit.