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New Ministry of Justice deaths in custody figures show record levels of suicides in prisons (27 January 2017)

Date: 27/01/2017
Duncan Lewis, Legal News Solicitors, New Ministry of Justice deaths in custody figures show record levels of suicides in prisons

The charity INQUEST has said new figures relating to deaths in custody released by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) are “extremely disturbing”.

The figures are extracted from the MoJ report Safety in Custody Statistics Bulletin, England and Wales, Deaths in prison custody to December 2016, Assaults and Self-Harm to September 2016.

The MoJ figures show that there has been a record rise in the number of custody deaths, with the latest Safety in Custody statistics revealing that deaths in custody are up by 38% overall – with self-inflicted deaths rising by a record 32%.

Self-harm incidents among prisoners have risen by 23% – and assault incidents are up by 31%. Prisoner on prisoner assaults have risen by 28%.

The figures also show that assaults on prison staff have risen by 40%.

Director at INQUEST, Deborah Coles, said:

"This unacceptable death toll reflects the grim reality of overcrowded and dehumanising prisons – and the failure to protect those in their care.

“INQUEST’s work with families shows first hand the traumatic human cost these deaths inflict on generations of bereaved family members – inquest after inquest highlights the same systemic failures.

“Countless investigations, prison watchdog reports and reviews recommend solutions to protect the health and safety of staff and prisoners that are systematically ignored.

“This broken system cannot deal with societal problems of mental and physical ill health, addictions, poverty and housing.

“A radical reduction in the prison population, investment in alternatives and a change in the nature and culture of prison, so they are places of last resort –
and rehabilitation will better serve victims, communities and prisoners.

“If the government fails to act, the scandalous death toll will continue.”


INQUEST provides specialist advice on deaths in custody or detention or involving state failures in England and Wales – including a death in prison, in police custody or following police contact, in immigration detention or psychiatric care.

INQUEST says its overall aim is to secure an investigative process that treats bereaved families with dignity and respect and ensures accountability, as well as disseminating the lessons learned from the investigation process, in order to prevent further deaths.

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We can also advise on claims involving unlawful death in custody.

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