Self-harm in women's prisons is an ongoing crisis. Women in Prison respond to quarterly Safety In Custody statistics
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Content warning: Self-harm, suicide, mental ill-health
Incidents of women self-harming in prison have increased over the last 12 months and are at record-high levels, according to quarterly Safety in Custody update from the Ministry of Justice.
- In the 3 months to March 2024, self-harm incidents increased by 29% in women's prisons
- The number of women self-harming has remained alarmingly high (341 per 1000 women in prison)
- The rate is more than eight times higher in women's prisons than in men's prisons
Sonya Ruparel, CEO of Women in Prison, said: “Seriously unwell women are being sent to prison when in fact they need medical or psychiatric support. Far from being a place of safety, prisons are re-traumatising women and even creating mental health problems where they didn’t exist before.
Our frontline staff have worked with women who developed PTSD in prison, suicidal ideation, and in one case a woman was recalled to prison from a psychiatric ward while pregnant. In too many cases, women are criminalised because they are survivors of abuse, and experience mental ill-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.”
Case studies are available on request.
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
- The Answer Is Not Prison campaign was launched by WIP ahead of the general election to urge the new government to prioritise prevention for women rather than criminalising them and cutting them off from their community in prison. The goal is to ensure that women facing mental ill-health, abuse, and other challenges receive the support they need within their communities.
Key statistics
- According to the Ministry of Justice, self-harm amongst women in prison increased 29% in the last quarter (Jan-March 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