Overcrowded prisons linked to higher suicide rate

The most overcrowded prisons have the highest numbers of suicides, new research has revealed.

According to a study by the Howard League for Penal Reform, over half (56%) of suicides in England and Wales since the start of 2004 have occurred in the 35 most overcrowded jails.

The report found that Gloucester, Norwich and Manchester prisons, which had the highest number of suicides, with seven deaths in each, all contained a third more inmates than their normal maximum capacity.

The most overcrowded jails – Preston and Shrewsbury – also recorded three and five suicides, respectively, since January 2004. Both jails are holding 180% of their certified capacity.

The figures have been released as the House of Lords prepares to debate on the impact of prison overcrowding on the prison suicide rate.

The Howard League for Penal Reform found that, of the 14 most overcrowded prisons, 11 operate as local prisons, meaning that they house prisoners on remand, as well as those who have been sentenced.

The research found that over half of all prison suicides are committed by those on remand, despite them making up less than a fifth of the prison population.

The study also found that many prisoners had to ‘double-up’ in cells designed for one person.

Last week, it was revealed that the prison population in England and Wales had reached the record level of 77,702 – only 400 below the operating capacity margin.

Frances Crook, Director of the Howard League for Penal Reform, said: “Prison overcrowding is the canker at the heart of the penal system. It places the prison authorities in an impossible position, rendering them unable to provide either appropriate care to the suicidal or undertake at least some of the rehabilitative work that is necessary if prisoners are not to re-offend on release.

“The Howard League for Penal Reform believes that instead of locking up ever-increasing numbers of men, women and children in jails that have no room for them and can do nothing with them, the courts should take advantage of effective community sentences that are readily available and make a person take responsibility and live a law-abiding life. If we do not halt the catastrophic increase in imprisonment, then we are merely creating further victims both inside and outside prison.”

Liberal Democrats home affairs spokesperson in the House of Lords, Lord Dholakia said that he would call on the government to implement measures to reduce instances of self-harm and suicide amongst prisoners during Thursday’s debate.

He said: "It is not revolutionary or controversial to say that courts should send to prison only those whose offending makes any other alternative unacceptable, and those who are sent to prison should not stay there any longer than is strictly necessary.

"The inmate is in the care of the state from the time the sentence is announced. We should hold the state responsible for what happens to them during that period."

Last week, the Home Office announced proposals to release prisoners who had committed non-violent offences such as burglary, fraud and theft, early under an electronic tagging system, in a bid to ease prison overcrowding.

(KMcA)