HC Deb 26 January 1999 vol 324 cc200-1W
Mr. Stinchcombe

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of those people aged under 18 years who committed suicide in prisons in England and Wales last year were(a) being held in adult gaols and (b) on remand. [67218]

Mr. George Howarth

Regrettably, three apparent self-inflicted deaths occurred last year among those aged under 18 years in prisons in England and Wales, of which one was in a young offender unit of an adult prison. Two of the prisoners were unsentenced.

The inquest on the first death returned a verdict of suicide. The inquests on the remaining two deaths have not yet been held.

Mr. Stinchcombe

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to reduce the incidence of suicide among people aged under 18 years in prisons in England and Wales. [67217]

Mr. George Howarth

The Government are committed to doing everything possible to reduce the incidence of suicide in prisons. My noble Friend, Lord Williams, chairs a regular meeting between the Prison Service and a range of representatives from groups interested in prison suicides including: the Samaritans; Howard League; Prison Reform Trust; Inquest; and the Board of Visitors, to discuss how they can work more closely together.

The Prison Service is currently re-examining instructions and guidance on caring for the suicidal to be issued as a new Prison Service Order (PSO). The special needs of under 18 year olds will be considered as part of that review. In addition, the Prison Service is currently developing new regime standards for under 18 year olds in consultation with the Youth Justice Board. These, along with the creation of a distinct juvenile estate, will improve the standard of care and quality of regimes for remanded and sentenced juveniles held in Prison Service accommodation.

We welcome the current thematic review of suicide and self-harm conducted by Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons, the report of which is soon to be published. We look forward to any recommendations he has in this important area of work.