Prison violence and self-harm on rise as safety figures ‘worst they have ever been’

Prison safety has deteriorated to its most serious level and there is no sign of an improvement in rates of violence and self-harm, the chairman of the Parole Board has warned.

Professor Nick Hardwick said the latest jail safety figures are “appalling” and the “worst they have ever been”.

His stark assessment was delivered days after a prisoner died in a stabbing at HMP Pentonville in north London.

Referring to data showing rising numbers of homicides behind bars, Prof Hardwick (pictured) said: “I don’t believe this recent increase is a coincidence.

“It is the most extreme example of the decline in safety that I … have been warning about for years.”

Prof Hardwick, who was previously chief inspector of prisons, said his annual reports in that role charted the “accelerating decline in prison safety”.

Warning that the “situation is now more serious than ever”, he said: “The meaning of the increase in suicides, assaults and murders we are seeing now is not just the awful consequences for the prisoners, staff and families involved but the evidence they provide of a loss of control of our prisons.”

Ambitious plans to improve rehabilitation and education, or tackle extremism, are “simply not achievable” in these circumstances, Prof Hardwick said.

Delivering the Howard League Parmoor lecture on Thursday night, he added: “I see no sign that the number of homicides, self-inflicted deaths, self-harm incidents and assaults will not continue to rise.”

The Government has announced that £14 million will be invested in more than 400 extra staff in 10 of the most challenging prisons.

Prof Hardwick welcomed the move, but said it “does not compensate for the thousands of staff who have taken out of prisons over the last few years”, adding: “I am afraid there are a lot more than 10 prisons in trouble.”

He went on: “The 400 extra staff must be just the first immediate step. The problem is now of such a scale, and the resources required to address it so significant, that it will take a government-wide commitment to address it in the next spending round.”

A Ministry of Justice spokeswoman said: “The Secretary of State has been clear that safety in prisons is fundamental to the proper functioning of our justice system and a vital part of our reform plans.

“We are fully committed to addressing the significant increase in violence, self-harm and self-inflicted deaths in our prisons.

“Earlier this month the Justice Secretary announced an immediate investment of an additional £14 million in 10 of our most challenging prisons, increasing staffing levels by over 400 prison officers.

“In the coming weeks she will be publishing a White Paper setting out plans across the estate for prison safety and reform to 2020 and beyond.”

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