Latest prison and police custody deaths data show more must be done to safeguard lives
The latest figures highlight that far more must be done to reduce deaths and protect vulnerable individuals who are in contact with the criminal justice system and ensure the justice system consistently responds with care and compassion, and that it embeds learning from these deaths.
Statistics published today by the Ministry of Justice and HMPPS show a concerning and continuing rise in prison deaths, increasing by 30% to 401 deaths in the 12 months to June 2025. Of these, 86 were self-inflicted deaths while 221 deaths were due to natural causes – an 18% increase in the latter compared to the previous 12 months.
Natural deaths in prison have reached their second-highest level on record. Findings from our 2020 report with the Royal College of Nursing highlighted urgent reforms needed to prevent avoidable deaths and improve end-of-life care. We called for better healthcare coordination, enhanced support for older prisoners, and a more compassionate approach to palliative care across the prison estate. Five years on, those recommendations still stand, and we urge renewed focus in this area.
The rate of self-harm has reached a new peak, with 77,898 incidents recorded in the 12 months to March 2025 – a 6% increase overall. The number of individuals who self-harmed also increased by 3.5%, with 160 individuals per 1,000 prisoners affected. These numbers reinforce the concerns identified in the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman’s latest annual report around suicide and self-harm prevention. Improvements are needed in areas including reducing reliance on self-disclosure while assessing risk, improving staff training, ensuring multidisciplinary case reviews where appropriate, and conducting meaningful welfare checks.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct has also published its latest statistics today which show that 17 people died in or following police custody in 2024/25, down from 25 the previous year. While the decrease in deaths is welcome, the figures continue to raise serious and persistent concerns. Tragically, one death involved a child who died during transportation to custody.
Nine of those who died had known mental health concerns, 15 had links to alcohol and/or drugs, and five individuals were physically restrained by police before their deaths. In our work for the coming year, we will examine the use of force in custody settings, with a focus on addressing the vulnerabilities of individuals in crisis to help drive meaningful change in areas where people are most at risk.
There were also 60 apparent suicides following police custody, down from 68 the previous year. However, this figure remains alarmingly high and reflects a concerning trend that persists year after year. Individuals with vulnerabilities continue to be disproportionately represented in the data. Over 60% of those who died had known mental health issues, and nearly half were reported to be intoxicated at the time of arrest or had substance misuse issues. Of these, 38 who died had been arrested for a sexual offence. These figures highlight the urgency for a more preventative approach across the justice system. We are working with the National Police Chiefs’ Council and the College of Policing to better identify individuals who are at greater risk of suicide and ensure they are given timely and appropriate support once they are released.