This article is from the source 'independent' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/prison-violence-self-injury-uk-highest-level-record-inmates-figures-hmp-liverpool-nottingham-a8177286.html

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Violence and self-injury in prisons hit highest levels on record, figures show Violence and self-injury in prisons hit highest levels on record, figures show
(about 1 hour later)
Violence and self-injury in prisons have risen to record levels, new figures show, as overcrowding continues to put pressure on jails in England and Wales.Violence and self-injury in prisons have risen to record levels, new figures show, as overcrowding continues to put pressure on jails in England and Wales.
Official data published by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) show 28,165 assaults were recorded in the 12 months to the end of September 2017 – a 12 per cent rise on the previous year – putting incidents at their highest levels since current recording practices began in 1978.Official data published by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) show 28,165 assaults were recorded in the 12 months to the end of September 2017 – a 12 per cent rise on the previous year – putting incidents at their highest levels since current recording practices began in 1978.
Incidents of self-injury in jails also rose to record levels, up by 12 per cent to 42,837, with figures showing the number of incidents requiring hospital attendance had risen by 15 per cent. Quarterly self-harm incidents rose by 10 per cent to a record high of 11,904 incidents.Incidents of self-injury in jails also rose to record levels, up by 12 per cent to 42,837, with figures showing the number of incidents requiring hospital attendance had risen by 15 per cent. Quarterly self-harm incidents rose by 10 per cent to a record high of 11,904 incidents.
The figures also show a significant decrease in prisoner deaths, which were down 17 per cent from 354 the previous year. There were 70 self-inflicted deaths, down by 43 per on the previous year when there were 122.The figures also show a significant decrease in prisoner deaths, which were down 17 per cent from 354 the previous year. There were 70 self-inflicted deaths, down by 43 per on the previous year when there were 122.
While campaigners welcomed the drop in deaths in custody, they urged that there was "no room for complacency" when it remains the case that a prisoner dies by suicide every three days, and the wave of violence and self-injury continues to rise.While campaigners welcomed the drop in deaths in custody, they urged that there was "no room for complacency" when it remains the case that a prisoner dies by suicide every three days, and the wave of violence and self-injury continues to rise.
Violent incidents last year included 7,828 assaults on prison staff – a 22 per cent rise compared to the previous 12 months – and 20,346 prisoner-on-prisoner assaults, marking a 9 per cent rise on the previous year and the highest on record.Violent incidents last year included 7,828 assaults on prison staff – a 22 per cent rise compared to the previous 12 months – and 20,346 prisoner-on-prisoner assaults, marking a 9 per cent rise on the previous year and the highest on record.
The MoJ figures come after the Government was issued with an unprecedented warning from the prisons watchdog that inmates in HMP Nottingham were being driven to take their own lives due to a “dramatic decline” in conditions.The MoJ figures come after the Government was issued with an unprecedented warning from the prisons watchdog that inmates in HMP Nottingham were being driven to take their own lives due to a “dramatic decline” in conditions.
Inspectors also revealed last week that conditions in one English jail are the “worst they have ever seen”, painting a grim picture of inmates in HMP Liverpool living among dirt, litter, rats and cockroaches and occupying cells that are “dangerous to live in”.Inspectors also revealed last week that conditions in one English jail are the “worst they have ever seen”, painting a grim picture of inmates in HMP Liverpool living among dirt, litter, rats and cockroaches and occupying cells that are “dangerous to live in”.
Responding to the latest figures, Andrew Neilson, director of campaigns at the Howard League for Penal Reform, said: “Against a backdrop of continued problems affecting prison safety, there has been a welcome reduction in the number of people who have lost their lives through suicide.Responding to the latest figures, Andrew Neilson, director of campaigns at the Howard League for Penal Reform, said: “Against a backdrop of continued problems affecting prison safety, there has been a welcome reduction in the number of people who have lost their lives through suicide.
“Given that 2016 was the worst year on record in this area, however, improvement was a must. There is no room for complacency when it remains the case that a prisoner dies by suicide every three days."“Given that 2016 was the worst year on record in this area, however, improvement was a must. There is no room for complacency when it remains the case that a prisoner dies by suicide every three days."
Mr Neilson added: "As the prison system buckles under the weight of chronic overcrowding and staff shortages, the wave of violence and self-injury rises higher and higher.Mr Neilson added: "As the prison system buckles under the weight of chronic overcrowding and staff shortages, the wave of violence and self-injury rises higher and higher.
"The new Secretary of State for Justice and his minister for prisons must respond boldly and urgently to this national emergency, to prevent more people being hurt."The new Secretary of State for Justice and his minister for prisons must respond boldly and urgently to this national emergency, to prevent more people being hurt.
“Reducing the prison population would save lives, protect staff and stop others being swept into deeper currents of crime, violence and despair.”“Reducing the prison population would save lives, protect staff and stop others being swept into deeper currents of crime, violence and despair.”
Prisons Minister Rory Stewart said: “We will only transform our prisons into places of rehabilitation if we ensure that we address basic issues such as cleanliness, decency and safety.
“The levels of suicide, self-harm and violence are too high and I am looking very closely at what more can be done to help reduce those figures as quickly as possible. 
“These issues will not be resolved overnight, but the work we are doing to improve the quality of prison accommodation and the investment of £100m to bring in an additional 2,500 frontline prison officers are a key part of our strategy to transform our jails.”