Women's prisons report finds 97 deaths in decade as self-harm hits record high

"Over the past decade 97 women have died in prisons in England and Wales, as incidents of self-harm among female prisoners reach the highest level on record, a new report has found. Inquest, the charity that produced the report, collated Ministry of Justice (MoJ) figures since 2015 to arrive at a total number of deaths. It said the numbers were evidence for its case that all women's prisons should be closed."

"A jury found serious failings by staff at a Derbyshire prison contributed to Saria Hart's death. Photograph: Derbyshire Live/BPM Media Inquest's director, Deborah Coles, said: The only certainty is that more deaths will follow unless the government radically changes direction. Rather than more rhetoric, now is the time for political bravery and implementation of tangible steps towards ending women's prisons."

Over the past decade 97 women have died in prisons in England and Wales while self-harm among female prisoners reached record highs. Inquest collated Ministry of Justice figures since 2015 and used the totals to call for closing all women's prisons. Deaths include Saria Hart, who left two suicide notes before taking her life; Louisa Boultbee, who with epilepsy was found unresponsive after two mandatory checks were missed; and Aisha Cleary, a newborn whose 18-year-old mother gave birth alone in her cell despite pressing the cell bell twice. A jury found serious staff failings contributed to Hart's death. The MoJ called the deaths tragic and said the system is not working for most women. Numerous earlier recommendations have been accepted but critics say implementation has been inadequate.

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