§ Mr. Tony ClarkeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he proposes to take following the inquest into the death of Jason Marcus Sebastian; and if he will make a statement. [32699]
§ Ms QuinThe Prison Service has now received the coroner's comments following the inquest into the death of Jason Marcus Sebastian at Belmarsh prison on 19 September 1997. The evidence which was presented at the inquest and the comments made by the coroner are being carefully considered.
In the light of an internal Prison Service investigation, the governor of Belmarsh has already implemented a number of changes in the prison's procedures and personnel, and carried out a full review of the prison's suicide awareness policies.
634WThese changes include: the appointment of a full-time suicide awareness co-ordinator and a new Head of Health Care, who is a senior nurse; regular care reviews of "at risk" prisoners; and more thorough assessments of all prisoners by a medical officer before they leave the health care centre. All staff working directly with prisoners are receiving refresher training in suicide awareness as a matter of urgency. The procedure for medical assessment prior to adjudications at the prison has also been improved.