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 apparent self-inflicted deaths is contained in the following table:
Female Male 2002 9 86 2003 14 80 2004 13 82 2005 4 74 2006 3 64 1 The Prison Service definition of self-inflicted deaths is broader than the legal definition of suicide and includes all deaths where it appears that a prisoner has acted specifically to take their own life. This inclusive approach is used in part because inquest verdicts are often not available for some years after a death (some 20 per cent. of these deaths will not receive a suicide or open verdict at inquest). Annual numbers may change slightly from time to time as inquest verdicts and other information become available.