§ Mrs. BrookeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) attempted hangings and (b) other acts of deliberate self-harm were recorded in prisons in England and Wales in the last two years. [37790]
§ Beverley Hughes[holding answer 27 February 2002]: There have been 2,986 attempted hangings and 9,700 other acts of self-harm in prisons during the last two years as set out in the table.
Table showing the number of attempted hangings and other acts of deliberate self-harm in prisons in England and Wales in the last two years Year Attempted hanging Other acts of deliberate self-harm Total 2000 1,395 (27 per cent.) 3,826 (73 per cent.) 5,221 2001 1,591 (21 per cent.) 5,874 (79 per cent.) 7,465 A downward trend in the reduction of self-harm, including attempted hangings, is being sought within the Prison Services holistic three-year safer custody programme. Key elements of the programme include better identification and case management by trained staff of prisoners at risk; the establishment of mental health in-reach teams; and improved physical environments within prisons.