Written Answers. - Prison Deaths Statistics.
Ivor Callely
Question:
125
Mr. Callely
asked the
Minister for Justice
the number of deaths of prisoners or people held in custody in 1995; the number of outstanding recommendations of the 1989 expert group report; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[3982/96]
A total of three persons died in custody in 1995.
Any death that occurs in custody is a tragedy. There is an elaborate strategy in place for the prevention of suicides in prisons but unless there is to be a total denial of personal privacy to all prisoners at all times the possibility of suicides in custody cannot be precluded, no more than it can be precluded in the wider community.
I can say, for the information of the House, that 50 of the 57 Suicide Prevention Recommendations contained in the Report of the Advisory Group on Prison Deaths (published in August 1991) have been implemented or are in the course of implementation at no small cost to the Exchequer. These include the following:
24 hour a day medical orderly cover in the closed institutions (at a cost of £500,000):
an increase in the number of clinical psychologists — from three to six initially — including a female psychologist to cover the women's prison;
installation of cell call systems with which distressed prisoners may summon help;
introduction of a service by the Samaritans in all institutions and availability of cordless telephones to enable prisoners to contact the Samaritans on dedicated telephone lines;
special training courses for prison staff;
the establishment of a suicide awareness group in each institution to review suicide attempts, and ensure appropriate action is taken, at local level;
training and resuscitation equipment;
employment of a pharmacist;
revision of the Rules of the Government of Prisons, 1947;
improvements in GP services;
provision of in-cell sanitation (a seven year programme).
In addition to the measures I have already listed which have been taken by my Department to reduce the risk of suicide in prison a special suicide prevention circular was issued in all prisons in 1994. The circular emphasised the importance of suicide prevention policy, set out clear procedures to be followed in all institutions and set out the responsibilities of all staff in relation to suicide prevention policy.
The remaining recommendations are more long-term in nature, a fact which was acknowledged by the advisory group. They include the provision of a committal assessment centre and a new female prison. These recommendations will be implemented in the context of the overall development of the prison system.
I am satisfied that significant progress has been made in implementing the report and that all reasonable steps are being taken to prevent suicides in the prisons.
