§ Mrs. Iris RobinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what amount was spent on leisure facilities in prisons in each of the last six years. [150734]
§ Jane KennedyThe Northern Ireland Prison Service does not spend money on leisure facilities, however, the service does incur costs on recreation and physical education. Information in the form requested is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. However, the amount spent on gym assets including snooker and pool tables for the last six years is:
Amount (£) 1998–99 13,900 1999–2000 27,275 2000–01 36,234 2001–02 13,847 2002–03 37,970 2003–04 24,814
§ Mrs. Iris RobinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many prisoners in Northern Ireland are the subject of suicide watch observations; and what the corresponding figure was for the first day of each of the last 12 months. [150745]
§ Jane KennedyWhere there is concern that a prisoner may be at risk of self-harm a form IMR 21 is completed to inform staff. This might lead to a period of assessment in the healthcare unit for those deemed to be at a more serious risk. This period of assessment might also include a period of close observation. In the period January-December 2003, the number of IMR 21 forms raised was as follows:
Month IMR 21 referrals January 2003 11 February 2003 11 March 2003 16 April 2003 16 May 2003 11 June 2003 23 July 2003 15 August 2003 19 September 2003 22 October 2003 24 November 2003 39 December 2003 33 There has been an increase in the number of IMR 21 forms raised during the past year due to the increase in prisoner population and increasing tensions because of separation issues in Maghaberry.