§ Paul FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of female prisoners have been prescribed mental health drugs in each of the last five years. [86642]
§ Hilary BennThis information is not available in precisely the form requested. A survey of mental ill health in the prison population of England and Wales, undertaken in 1997 by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), showed that 22 per cent. of women prisoners were taking anti-depressant, 16 per cent. hypnotic and anxiolytic and 10 per cent. anti-psychotic medication.
§ Paul FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many suicide attempts there have been among female prisoners in each of the last five years; and how many suicides there have been by female prisoners since July. [86640]
§ Hilary BennSince July 2002, there have been six self-inflicted deaths of female prisoners (all those deaths where it appears the person may have acted specifically to take her own life). The available data on 'self-harm' incidents includes both attempted suicides and self-harm (without suicidal intent, which is included as it is difficult to measure suicidal intent). The table covers the 4,933 recorded incidents of self-harm by female prisoners between 1998 and 30 September 2002.
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Table showing the number of self-harm incidents for female prisoners in England and Wales between 1 January 1998 and 30 September 2002 Calendar Year Number of self-harm incidents 1998 211 1999 505 2000 933 2001 2,034 2002 1,250 Total 4,933 The Prison Service has a duty of care to all prisoners in its custody. and recognises that self-harm is a particular problem among women offenders. The Prison Service is currently developing several interventions that may help female prisoners reduce and manage self-harm in prison. One such example is at Holloway prison, where all prisoners who have been identified as at risk of suicide/self-harm are offered individual crisis counselling. About 40 per cent of prisoners take up the offer, while others may be referred to alternative sources of help within the prison. Staff report that following counselling women have shown increases in self-esteem, decreases in depression and are less likely to see suicide or self-harm as the solution to their problems.