§ Lord Hyltonasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many suicides and how many attempts at suicide there have been inside HM Prisons in each of the last four six-month periods for which figures are available. [HL5065]
§ The Minister of State, Home Office (Lord Falconer of Thoroton)The figures requested are set out in the tables.
Self-inflicted deaths 2000–02 Year First half (Jan-June) Second half (July-Dec) 2000 39 2001 31 42 2002 *44 * As at 5 July 2002. It is important to note that the Prison Service uses the term "self-inflicted deaths" to refer to all apparent suicides.
Attempted suicide/self-harm incidents 2000-02 Year First half (Jan-June) Second half (July-Dec) 2000 2,762 2001 3,307 4,179 2002 *4,524 * As at 5 July 2002. The Prison Service currently makes no distinction between incidents of self-harm and attempted suicides.