Prisoners (Suicides)

Mr. Peter Bruinvels
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many inmates attempted or committed suicide (a) in prison and (b) in police custody in each of the past five years and to date.

Mr. Scott
[pursuant to his reply, 18 June 1985, c. 100]: No person in police custody committed suicide in this period. Information on attempted suicides could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.The information in respect of persons in prison custody is as follows:
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|*1985|
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Notes:

1. The above figures do not include the 10 inmates who died as a result of hunger strike action in 1981.

2. It is not possible to identify accurately from prison records how many self-inflicted injuries requiring medical attention were attempts at suicide.