Menu
22/01/2015
Charity Reveals 82 Prison Suicides In 2014
Eighty-two people committed suicide while in prison in 2014, bringing the number to a seven year high, a penal system reform charity has revealed.
The data, compiled by the Howard League for Penal Reform, claims a total of 235 people died while in prisons in England and Wales last year – more than 120 by natural causes, 82 by suicide and another 24 which are as yet unclassified.
The charity, which campaigns for prison reforms, said that it compiled its data using Ministry of Justice figures, which record deaths in custody.
Frances Crook, Chief Executive of the Howard League for Penal Reform, said: "No one should be so desperate whilst they are in the care of the state that they take their own life.
"The numbers hide the true extent of misery inside prisons and for families. "It is particularly tragic that teenagers and other young people have died by their own hand in our prisons and we should all be ashamed that this happened.
"Hard-pressed prison staff have to save lives by cutting people down almost every day and without this the death toll would be even higher.
"It is evident that people are dying as a direct result of the cuts to the number of staff, particularly more experienced staff, in every prison.
"The government has chosen to allow the prison population to increase whilst it cuts staff, and that has led to an increase in people dying by suicide."
(MH/IT)
The data, compiled by the Howard League for Penal Reform, claims a total of 235 people died while in prisons in England and Wales last year – more than 120 by natural causes, 82 by suicide and another 24 which are as yet unclassified.
The charity, which campaigns for prison reforms, said that it compiled its data using Ministry of Justice figures, which record deaths in custody.
Frances Crook, Chief Executive of the Howard League for Penal Reform, said: "No one should be so desperate whilst they are in the care of the state that they take their own life.
"The numbers hide the true extent of misery inside prisons and for families. "It is particularly tragic that teenagers and other young people have died by their own hand in our prisons and we should all be ashamed that this happened.
"Hard-pressed prison staff have to save lives by cutting people down almost every day and without this the death toll would be even higher.
"It is evident that people are dying as a direct result of the cuts to the number of staff, particularly more experienced staff, in every prison.
"The government has chosen to allow the prison population to increase whilst it cuts staff, and that has led to an increase in people dying by suicide."
(MH/IT)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
03 April 2006
Prisons face overcrowding crisis
Prisons in England and Wales are under "enormous pressure" and are facing a "looming overcrowding crisis", according to a charity report. The Prison Reform Trust reported that prison numbers have crept up again since Christmas rising to over 77,000 again.
Prisons face overcrowding crisis
Prisons in England and Wales are under "enormous pressure" and are facing a "looming overcrowding crisis", according to a charity report. The Prison Reform Trust reported that prison numbers have crept up again since Christmas rising to over 77,000 again.
14 August 2006
Prison officers suspended over corruption claims
Fourteen prison officers have been suspended from HMP Pentonville following allegations of corruption. A spokesperson for the Prison Service confirmed that the prison officers had been suspended over allegations which concerned trafficking and "inappropriate relations" with prisoners.
Prison officers suspended over corruption claims
Fourteen prison officers have been suspended from HMP Pentonville following allegations of corruption. A spokesperson for the Prison Service confirmed that the prison officers had been suspended over allegations which concerned trafficking and "inappropriate relations" with prisoners.
13 October 2005
Prisoner early release plan criticised
Home Office plans to release prisoners early under an electronic tagging scheme have sparked controversy. Under the plans, criminals sentenced to four years in prisons could be released after 18 months, while a two-year sentence would involve just six months in jail.
Prisoner early release plan criticised
Home Office plans to release prisoners early under an electronic tagging scheme have sparked controversy. Under the plans, criminals sentenced to four years in prisons could be released after 18 months, while a two-year sentence would involve just six months in jail.
13 August 2004
Prison drug use and violent assault on the rise: report
There has been a significant increase in the amount of drugs used by prisoners and jails have become more violent with a significant number of serious assaults, according to a report by the Prison Reform Trust.
Prison drug use and violent assault on the rise: report
There has been a significant increase in the amount of drugs used by prisoners and jails have become more violent with a significant number of serious assaults, according to a report by the Prison Reform Trust.
02 September 2009
Call For Degree Educated Prison Officers
A charity for Penal Reform has today released a report recommending that prison officers are educated to degree level in order to better manage prisons and reduce reoffending rates. At present, prison officers undergo eight weeks training before taking responsibility for safety and security within a prison.
Call For Degree Educated Prison Officers
A charity for Penal Reform has today released a report recommending that prison officers are educated to degree level in order to better manage prisons and reduce reoffending rates. At present, prison officers undergo eight weeks training before taking responsibility for safety and security within a prison.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Showers will gradually die out during the evening. A cold night with long clear spells leading to a touch of frost in places. Light winds. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
