The Government has been urged to extend measures to prevent the incidence of suicide and accidental death, usually through drug overdosing, among prisoners.
The Prison Officers' Association endorsed measures so far introduced to cut down prison deaths but felt more could be done. The association is seeking full implementation of measures proposed eight years ago to reduce the level of deaths among prisoners.
In 1991, the Government set up an advisory group on prison deaths following a spate of suicides. It made 57 recommendations to reduce the risk of suicide. In 1996, another group was set up to examine progress on the proposals. Last week, this group reported that of 57 recommendations made in 1991, 35 were fully implemented, 14 were partially implemented and eight not implemented.
Among the proposals not yet introduced were the teaching of resuscitation techniques to more prison officers; additional probation and welfare officers; work and education programmes; the introduction of "one prisoner per cell" accommodation; better sanitary facilities; and special units for psychiatrically disturbed prisoners.
Between 1991 and 1998 42 prisoners killed themselves in prison.