§ Mr. McGradyTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many suicides took place in prisons in Northern Ireland in 2003; and what steps have been taken to eliminate the risk of suicide in prisons in Northern Ireland. [162143]
§ Jane KennedyThere was a total of three suicides in Northern Ireland prisons in 2003. The Northern Ireland Prison Service has been reviewing its procedures in an effort to reduce the number of incidences of self-harm and suicide. A new policy entitled "Self Harm and Suicide Prevention Management" will be implemented on 29 March 2003.
§ Mr. McGradyTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what measures have been put in place to assess vulnerable inmates in prisons in Northern Ireland who are at risk of suicide; and what measures he is taking to protect those who have been assessed as being at risk of suicide in prison. [162144]
§ Jane KennedyEvery prisoner on first committal to prison is examined by a member of the health care staff who will carry out an initial assessment of the possibility that they are at risk of self-harm or suicide. If the health care staff member has concerns about the prisoner, they will either formally notify the senior officers managing the House in which the prisoner is placed or alternatively will immediately place the prisoner in the Healthcare Unit. If the prisoner is located in a House one of the senior officers will immediately interview the 759W prisoner. In Maghaberry Prison, each House also has an individual nurse officer allocated to it and the nurse will be involved in the on-going support for the prisoner. In either case, a medical officer will then examine the prisoner at the first available opportunity when a care plan will be prepared.
On a day-to-day basis, there is a formal procedure by which any member of staff, who is concerned that a prisoner is at risk of self-harm or suicide, can initiate an assessment. All prison staff are involved in providing support to prisoners who are deemed to be at risk. Health care support is provided through full-time and part-time medical officers, general practitioners, consultant forensic psychiatrists, specialist registrars in mental health and health care staff—a large number of whom have nurse qualifications with a significant proportion having a mental health qualification.