§ Mr. StinchcombeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners(a) committed suicide, and (b) died in custody in 2000–01. [4843]
900W
Expenditure on education 1991–92 to 2000–01 Year Actual spend (£) At 2000–01 prices (£) Percentage change 1Average population 1Average cost per head at 2000–01 prices (£) 1991–92 29,372,748 36,951,501 — 45,162 818 1992–93 31,227,172 38,042,946 2.95 43,705 870 1993–94 31,089,033 36,896,112 -3.01 45,106 818 1994–95 36,756,960 43,017,262 16.59 47,784 900 1995–96 36,956,087 42,041,895 -2.27 49,574 848 1996–97 34,507,378 38,032,622 -9.54 54,359 700 1997–98 36,174,320 38,770,385 1.94 60,739 638 1998–99 39,049,875 40,690,517 4.95 60,751 670 1999–200022 47,445,945 48,338,269 18.79 59,857 808 2000–012 50,890,134 50,890,134 5.28 59,044 862 1 Excluding privately operated prisons 2 Due to changes in the recording of expenditure the figures are not all on a like for like basis. Those for 1996–97, 1997–98 and 1998–99 are net of recoverable VAT, where applicable. Whereas those for previous years and those for 1999–2000 and 2000–01 are gross expenditure with no reduction for VAT refunds.
§ Beverley HughesThe figures requested are given in the table:
Table showing the number of deaths that occurred in prison establishments in England and Wales for the financial year 2000–01 Financial Year Self inflicted deaths1 Natural causes deaths Homicides 2000–01 76 60 2 1 The term "self-inflicted deaths" includes not only those deaths which resulted in a verdict of "suicide" at the Coroner's Inquest, but also those deaths where it appears that the person's own actions caused his/her death. Such deaths might result in a verdict of "open" or "misadventure" at the Inquest if, for example, there was doubt about the person's intent to take his/her life. Comparable figures for 1999–2000 were 91 self-inflicted deaths, 54 natural causes and one homicide.
The Prison Service undertook a review of suicide prevention procedures last year and subsequently announced a new proactive strategy to reduce suicides in Prison. The strategy is overseen by a Working Group which I chair.