Self-harm in prisons at highest level for at least 20 years

Self-harm in prisons has reached its highest level since current recording practices began in 2004, official figures seen by the Howard League for Penal Reform reveal today (Thursday 31 October). 

A statistical bulletin, published by the Ministry of Justice, shows that prisons in England and Wales recorded 76,365 incidents of self-harm in the 12 months to the end of June 2024, at a rate of one every seven minutes. Men’s prisons recorded 55,531 incidents during that period, while women’s prisons recorded 20,834 – both record highs. 

The rate of self-harm is more than eight times higher in prisons holding women than in prisons holding men.

Over the same 12-month period, the number of assaults recorded in prisons rose by 24% to 29,254 – a rate of one every 18 minutes. Assaults in women’s prisons have reached their highest level since current recording practices for assaults began in 2000.

The data shows that 317 people in prison died in the 12 months to the end of September 2024. They included 88 people who died in circumstances recorded as “self-inflicted”.

Andrew Neilson, Director of Campaigns at the Howard League for Penal Reform, said: “These shocking statistics are a barometer of a system under immense pressure. Rising levels of self-harm and assaults reveal the scale of distress and tragedy in prisons that have been asked to do too much, with too little, for too long.

“While emergency short-term measures such as the early release scheme will go some way to easing current strains on the system, we eagerly await the upcoming sentencing review to prioritise delivering a sustainable solution to the capacity crisis that will make prisons safer.” 

Notes to editors 

1. The Howard League for Penal Reform is the oldest penal reform charity in the world. It is a national charity working for less crime, safer communities and fewer people in prison. ~

2. The Howard League and another charity, Centre for Mental Health, worked together on a joint programme on preventing people losing their lives through suicide in prison. Further information about the programme can be found on the Howard League website at: https://howardleague.org/our-work/transform-prisons/preventing-deaths-in-prison/inquiry-into-preventing-prison-suicides/  

3. The Ministry of Justice statistical bulletin, Safety in Custody Statistics, England and Wales: Deaths in Prison Custody to September 2024 Self-harm and Assaults to June 2024, can be accessed online at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/safety-in-custody-quarterly-update-to-june-2024  

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Noor Khan
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