To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department

(1) how many self-inflicted deaths there have been in each prison in England and Wales in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement;

(2) how many suicides there have been in each month of 2004; and what the figures were each month in the last two years.

The number of apparently self-inflicted deaths in each prison in each of the last five financial years is shown in the following table:

Note:

The numbers of deaths at an establishment are subject to significant random swings, and it is recommended that a period of at least ten is looked at in order to establish underlying trends.

As the hon. Member is aware from my previous answer (10 February 2004; Hansard, columns 1436–37W), reducing the rate of self-inflicted deaths in prison establishments is a key priority. The hon. Member is also aware that I made an announcement on 31 March 2004 regarding the Prison Service's developing suicide prevention strategy 27 May 2004; Hansard, column 518W. This will link existing programmes and planned investment in five broad areas of work:

Regime, activities and care-planning for all prisoners

Improved knowledge and outlooks of all staff at all levels

Meeting the special needs of the most vulnerable prisoners

Training and support for staff

Design solutions to minimise impulsive acts.