SUICIDES IN PRISON

Early day motion 508, tabled 14 January 2003 by Annette Brooke (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 58 members.

That this House is appalled at the fact that 94 men, women and children took their own lives in prison in England and Wales in 2002; is very disturbed that this figure represents an increase of over 20 per cent. on 2001, and is the highest ever annual figure; is alarmed that almost half of these deaths were of people aged 30 or younger; believes that this dramatic increase is caused in part by prison overcrowding, which has worsened considerably during the year; recognises that as prisons receive an ever-increasing number of new inmates every week, it is difficult for staff to carry out thorough risk assessments; understands that some prison regimes are becoming increasingly impoverished as a result of higher numbers of prisoners, combined with staff shortages, and realises that many prisoners are spending long periods each day locked in their cells; is concerned that the prison population is rising rapidly in relation to the crime rate as a result of an ever more punitive approach to custodial sentences; further believes that this level of prison suicide is unacceptable in a civilised society; and welcomes the work of the Howard League for Penal Reform that highlights these shocking figures.

Signatures by party: Liberal Democrat 30, Labour 25, Conservative 1, Plaid Cymru 1, UUP 1.