HC Deb 18 May 2000 vol 350 cc221-2W
Ms Julie Morgan

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many inmates of young offenders institutions(a) committed and (b) attempted suicide in each year since 1977; [122747]

(2) how many cases of self-harm by inmates of young offenders institutions took place in each year since 1977. [122726]

Mr. Boateng

The information requested is given in the tables from the earliest year that records are available. Information about attempted suicides is not recorded separately, but is incorporated into figures on self-harm incidents.

Incidents of self-harm at HMP young offenders institutions 1990–91 to 1999–2000
Financial year Incidents of self-harm
1990–91 312
1991–92 341
1992–93 469
1993–94 474
1994–95 717
1995–96 1,143
1996–97 793
1997–98 879
1998–99 944
1999–20001 n/a
1 Not yet available

Self-inflicted deaths at HMP young offenders institutions 1988–2000
Calendar year Number of deaths
1988 1
1989 2
1990 2
1991 4
1992 4
1993 1
1994 1
1995 2
1996 6
1997 5

Self-inflicted deaths at HMP young offenders institutions 1988–2000
Calendar year Number of deaths
1998 5
1999 8
20001 1
1 As at 16 May 2000

Notes:

1. Establishments have been categorised according to their primary role. However, it should be noted that there are a number of other prisons that hold young offenders (eg male remand centres) which are not included.

2. Incidents do not equate to numbers of prisoners as an individual prisoner may self harm more than once.

3. Self harm data are derived from information provided by establishments to the Prison Health Policy Unit. These data include information on all attempted suicides.

4. Prior to 1990, data on self-harm have not been held centrally in a format which permits distinction according to type of establishment.

5. Prior to 1988, data on suicides have not been held centrally in a format which permits distinction according to type of establishment.

6. It should be noted that not all self-inflicted deaths conclude with a verdict of suicide.

Ms Julie Morgan

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cases of(a) rape and (b) assault within young offenders institutions were reported to the authorities in each year since 1997. [122725]

Mr. Boateng

The figures for the numbers of assaults of a sexual nature and other assaults in young offender institutions reported to Prison Service headquarters since April 1997 are set out in the table. Separate figures for rape and buggery are not available. Such assaults are included within the figures for assaults of a sexual nature, which also include lesser sexual offences.

Assaults in young offender institutions (YOIs)
Year Assaults of a sexual nature Other assaults
1997–98 17 1,016
1998–99 19 1,501
1999–2000 17 2,757