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Deaths In Custody

Volume 302: debated on Monday 1 December 1997

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To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received regarding the access by the family or representatives of a deceased prisoner to the Prison Ombudsman; and if he will make a statement. [18278]

We have received one representom from the family of a prisoner who died in custody, and another from the campaigning group Inquest on behalf of the family of a prisoner who died in custody. Inquest have also raised the question of the Prison Ombudsman's remit separately with my right hon. Friend.The Prison Service already carries out an internal investigation into every death in custody and the Service is currently considering whether future reports should be made public. In light of the outcome of this review, we will consider whether there is a case for extending the Prison Ombudsman's remit.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many deaths of prisoners have occurred at HMP Belmarsh, in the past year; what were the causes; and if he will make a statement. [18279]

Four prisoners at Belmarsh prison have died in the past year. The inquest on one of these deaths was completed on 10 September 1997; the cause of death was hanging. The remaining inquests are outstanding; the cause of death in these cases has been initially classified as apparent suicide by hanging.