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Northern Ireland Office

Answer

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many self-inflicted (a) injuries and (b) deaths there have been in Northern Ireland prisons in each of the past five years; and what action the Government is taking to reduce these figures. [129829] Jane Kennedy: The information is as follows: (a) Self-inflicted injuries _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Number of self-inflicted injuries 1998-99 89 1999-2000 70 2000-01 90 2001-02 98 2002-03 146 2003 to date 53 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. (b) Self-inflicted deaths _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Number of self-inflicted deaths 1998-99 1 1999-2000 3 2000-01 3 2001-02 Nil 2002-03 1-- 2003 to date 2-- _________________________________________________________________________________________________. 1 Two deaths in custody awaiting Coroner's inquest. 2 One death in custody awaiting Coroner's inquest. Action Government taking to reduce these figures A review of policy and practices for dealing with prisoners at risk has recently been completed by the Northern Ireland Prison Service. This takes a holistic approach to providing the necessary support and care to prevent the individual harming him or herself. It includes an initial assessment on reception to prison, Samaritan services, listener schemes, an anti-bullying policy and improved structures, systems and procedures. This will include a multi-disciplinary case conference being held, leading to the development of a care plan for those at risk. This policy is due to be implemented by December 2003.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

129829; 410 c728W;410 c726W

Session

2002-03

Subjects

Northern Ireland Prisoners Prisons Suicide Self-harm

Contains statistics

Yes

Link

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