News

Prisons across the country are on the brink of a safety crisis as prison population numbers continue to rise while more and more staff leave the service.

The latest data on the number and rate of self-inflicted deaths in prison custody remain persistently high and deeply troubling.

The IAPDC has today published its report, “More than a paper exercise” – Enhancing the impact of Prevention of Future Death Reports.

The report into the Brook House inquiry reveals a “toxic” environment in which shocking levels of abuse, humiliation, and disregard for detained persons’ vulnerabilities were not only tolerated, but allowed to thrive.

The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman’s (PPO) annual report 2022/23 shows a worrying increase in prison and self-inflicted deaths, underscoring key challenges within the prison service including workforce pressures - including training, skill mix, and experience - and the growing capacity crisis.

The Independent Advisory Panel on Deaths in Custody (IAPDC) welcomes the publication of the Department of Health and Social Care’s (DHSC) cross-government and cross-sector approach to preventing suicide.

The number of deaths in or following police custody has more than doubled over the past year, demonstrating the urgency with which the Home Office and police leadership must act to prevent these tragic and often avoidable deaths.

The latest statistics covering deaths in prison custody show an alarming increase in the number and rate of deaths in the 12 months to June 2023.

We welcome today’s announcement on the launch of the National Partnership Agreement and its guiding principle that people experiencing a mental health crisis should receive the right care from the right agency.

The Chief Inspector for Prisons’ annual report is a sobering reminder that prisoners continue to be left behind while the rest of society has long emerged from the grip of the Covid-19 pandemic.