§ Mr. LidingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many cases of non-fatal self-harm there were in(a) young offender institutions and (b) adult prisons in each financial year from 1996–97 to 1999–2000 and in the period since 1 April 2000; [142437]
(2) how many (a) convicted prisoners and (b) remand prisoners committed suicide in (i) 1996–97, (ii) 1997–98, (iii) 1998–99, (iv) 1999–2000 and (v) the period since 1 April; how many suicides in each period took place in young offender institutions; and if he will make a statement. [142438]
§ Mr. BoatengThe available figures requested are given in the tables. Self-inflicted death figures are given both for young offenders under 21 and Young Offender Institutions (YOIs): the former is higher because many young offenders are not accommodated in YOIs. I regret that I am not at present able to provide reliable 2000–01 self-inflicted death figures by establishment type, but will write to the hon. Member when the information is available.
I regret also that I am also unable to provide figures for the numbers of self-harm incidents for this year. The Prison Service is looking at putting in place a new system for recording such incidents, but this will not provide data for 2000–01.
The Prison Service is reconsidering with Ministers its suicide/ self-harm strategy and an announcement will be made early in 2001.
112W
A. Self-inflicted deaths of sentenced and unsentenced prisoners between 1996–2000 in HM prison establishments in England and Wales Status Financial year Sentence Remand Judgment respite Convicted unsentenced Total 1996–97 28 28 7 1 64 1997–98 32 29 4 9 74 1998–99 27 38 6 11 82 1999–2000 34 47 3 7 91 2000–011 27 28 2 — 57 Total 148 170 22 28 368 1 Up to and including 7 December 2000
B. Self-inflicted deaths of under 21s in HM prison establishments in England and Wales Number 1996–97 16 1997–98 8 1998–99 14 1999–2000 15 2000–011 13 Total 66 1 Up to and including 7 December 2000
C. Self-inflicted deaths in HMYOI prison establishments in England and Wales Number 1996–97 10 1997–98 4 1998–99 4 1999–2000 7 Total 25
D. Self harm figures 1996–99 1996–97 1997–98 1998–99 Adult male 3,472 4,597 4,730 Female 730 1,107 1,228 YOI 1,171 1,319 1,439 Total number of self harm incidents 5,373 7,023 7,398