Written question asked by Ivan Lawrence (Conservative), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 12 March 1997. It was answered by Ann Widdecombe (Conservative) on Wednesday, 12 March 1997 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office;Prison Service

Question: Pursuant to his Answer to the honourable Member for Newcastle upon Tyne Central, of 4th February, Official Report, columns 552-3W, what was the number and rate per 100,000 prisoners of self-inflicted deaths at prison establishments (a) in 1992-93 and (b) for the first nine months of 1996-97 at an estimated annualised rate. - Includes text of letter from AJ Pearson of Prison Service Agency and figures. (Holding answer 11 March 1997).

Answer: Sir Ivan Lawrence: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Newcastle upon Tyne, Central (Mr. Cousins) of 4 February, Official Report, columns 552-53, what was the number and rate per 100,000 prisoners of self-inflicted deaths at prison establishments (a) in 1992-93 and (b) for the first nine months of 1996-97 at an estimated annualised rate. [19038] Miss Widdecombe: [holding answer 11 March 1997]: Responsibility for this matter has been delegated to the Director General of the Prison Service, who has been asked to arrange for a reply to be given. Letter from A. J. Pearson to Sir Ivan Lawrence, dated 12 March 1997: The Home Secretary has asked me, in the absence of the Director General from the office, to reply to your Question about the number of self-inflicted deaths at prison establishments in 1992-93, and in the first nine months of 1996-97. You have also asked for these figures to be expressed at an estimated annual rate. In 1992-93 there were 43 self-inflicted deaths with an average prison population of 43,913. This represents a rate of 98 self-inflicted deaths per 100,000 prisoners. During the first nine months (April-December) of the financial year 1996-1997 there were 49 self-inflicted deaths. Based on current projections for 1996-97, this represents a rate of 115 self-inflicted deaths per 100,000 prisoners.

Secondary information