HC Deb 20 April 1998 vol 310 cc511-2W
Dr. Cable

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) suicides and (b) attempted suicides have occurred in Feltham Young Offenders Unit in each of the last five years. [38156]

Ms Quin

The information requested is given in the table. This is shown as reported incidents of self-injury rather than attempted suicides since, as of 1 April 1997, the Prison Service now records incidents under this broader definition.

In interpreting the statistics on reported incidents of self-injury, it should be borne in mind that a single prisoner can accumulate more than one incident of self-injury. There have also been changes to recording and the definitions in establishments over time. Research is being conducted to identify more consistent methods of recording and monitoring self-injury.

Self-inflicted deaths and incidents of self-injury at Feltham YOI 1993–94–1997–98
Year Self-inflicted deaths1 Reported incidents of self-injury
1993–94 - 36
1994–95 - 99
1995–96 - 532
1996–97 1 241
1997–98 2 2234
1 Not all self-inflicted deaths conclude with a verdict of suicide.
2 1-4-97 to 28-2-98.