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Young Offender Institutions

Answer

The information requested with respect to apparent self-inflicted deaths is shown in table 1.There is no definition of what constitutes an attempted suicide, as it is very difficult to measure suicidal intent.The information requested with respect to recorded incidents of self-harm is shown in the table 2.

Table 1: Self-inflicted deaths
	Number
2001	7
2002	5
2003	3
2004	4
2005	9
Note:
The table above shows the number of apparent self-inflicted deaths. This includes all deaths where it appears the individual acted specifically to take their own life, not only those that received a suicide or open verdict at inquest.

Table 2: Incidents of self-harm
	Number
2001	800
2002	900
2003	1,600
2004	1,800
2005	1,900
Note:
The system for recording incidents in prisons (IRS) copes with large volumes of data and is constantly being updated. As numbers of self-harm incidents cannot therefore be treated as absolute the figures have been rounded to the nearest 100. Additionally, a new form for reporting self-harm (F213SH) was introduced in December 2002. The rise in reported self-harm from 2003 may therefore partly reflect improved reporting rather than an actual increase in self-harm incidents. Self harm from one prison which re-rolled to a YOI in 2003 has been included for the whole period.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

451 c1438-9W; 99904

Session

2005-06

Subjects

Young offenders Suicide Self-harm

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk