1 in 3 women in prison are self-harming, according to new statistics from the Ministry of Justice
Women in Prison respond to Safety in Custody statistics, October 2024
For immediate release. Contact [email protected], 07823 412 09031st October 2024
Content warning: Self-harm, mental ill-health
1 in 3 women in prison are self-harming, according to new statistics from the Ministry of Justice
- New statistics from the Ministry of Justice show that for every 1,000 women in prison, 330 have self-harmed in the last 12 months
- Rates of self-harm increased by 5% in women's prisons in the 3 months to June 2024
- In the 12 months to June 2024, self-harm rates decreased by 7% in women’s prisons, yet still represent the highest rates ever recorded
- The rate of self-harm is 8 times higher in women's prisons than in men's prisons.
Nicola Drinkwater, Director of External Affairs and Campaigns for Women in Prison, said:
“The rates of self-harm amongst women in prison are deeply concerning to read.
While over recent months the Government has made significant, promising announcements on women’s justice which recognise that women do not belong in prison, we must not overlook the severe mental health impacts prison is having on women currently serving custodial sentences.
Women facing serious health challenges are ending up in prison when what they truly need is medical or psychiatric care. Prisons are not keeping women safe. They are often re-traumatising women and can even bring about mental health issues that weren’t previously there.
Our frontline teams have supported women who developed PTSD and suicidal thoughts while in prison. Far too often, women are criminalised because they are survivors of abuse and face struggles with mental health and poverty.
Rather than punishing women for their experiences, we need to prioritise prevention and ensure they have access to the support they need in their communities. We hope the Women’s Justice Board will bring about this change.”
ENDS
Notes to editors
Women in Prison (WIP) is a national charity that delivers support for women affected by the criminal justice system in prisons, in the community and through our Women's Centres. We campaign to end the harm caused to women, their families and our communities by imprisonment
Key statistics
- According to the Ministry of Justice, self-harm amongst women in prison increased 29% in the last quarter (March-July 2024) (3).
- According to the Ministry of Justice, the women’s prison population is projected to increase to 4,200 by November 2027 (1).
- The majority of women in prison (82%) report that they have mental health problems compared with just over half of men (59%) (2).
- Seven in 10 women in prison reported that they had been a victim of domestic violence (2).
1. Prison Population Projections: 2023 to 2028, Ministry of Justice
2. Bromley Briefings Prison Fact file, February 2024, Prison Reform Trust