§ 35. Dr. GibsonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what studies he has evaluated on the suicide rates in Her Majesty's prisons. [48432]
§ Ms QuinStatistics on the number of self-inflicted deaths are collected and published each year in the Prison Service's Annual Report. The Prison Service examines each death in prison custody thoroughly to see whether any lessons can be learned and, where apparent clusters of deaths occur, considers whether there are any common factors. Research has identified that the first month of imprisonment (whether as a sentenced or remand prisoner) is a period of significantly increased risk of suicide. This particularly affects local prisons with a high proportion of remand prisoners.
The Prison Service is also conducting research into suicide and self-injury to improve the understanding of self-injury and its relationship with suicidal behaviour. Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons is also preparing a thematic report on suicides and self harm in prisons.