June 16, 2005: Sharp Rise in Prison Suicides

In a period of only 14 days in June this year, no less than 13 prisoners have died in the overcrowded prisons of England, according to a new statement from the Prison Reform Trust. The statement points out that this toll of apparently self-inflicted deaths comes in spite of substantial work by the Home Office Safer Custody Unit and the Samaritans.

It coincides with a recent sharp rise in prison numbers as well as reduced regimes, thought to be associated with budget cutbacks, and more time in cell for many prisoners. Over half the people who died were held on remand. Remand prisoners experience the worst conditions in most large local prisons.

In 2004, there were 95 suicides in prisons in England and Wales, equalling the highest recorded number for a calendar year. There appears to be a link between overcrowding and the number of suicides. Research by HM Prison Service suggests that 10 of the 20 establishments with the highest incidence of self-inflicted deaths are also in the top 20 for turnover of population. In all, 20 per cent of men and 40 per cent of women entering custody say they have previously attempted suicide. According to the Social Exclusion Unit, more than 50 prisoners commit suicide shortly after release each year.

Prison Reform Trust Director Juliet Lyon commented:

“This catalogue of deaths must act as a terrible warning to the courts to avoid custody for those who are vulnerable or mentally ill and a stark wake up call to Government to act now to improve court diversion, bail provision and treatment options and, at long last, to end prison overcrowding. People are sent to prison to lose their liberty not their lives.”