Prisons need a profound culture change to prevent people from
losing their lives through suicide, according to a report
published today (Monday 13 February) by Centre for Mental Health
and the Howard League for Penal Reform.
Preventing suicides: staff perspectives, the last of
four reports from an investigation into suicide in prisons by the
two charities, finds that distress, self-harm and suicide
attempts are too often seen as manipulative rather than signs of
need and vulnerability among prisoners.
Staff shortages, a ‘toxic’ working environment and a failure to
recognise the traumatising impact of prison for both prisoners
and staff all contribute to an unsafe environment.
The report is based on interviews with health care staff working
in prisons and those reviewing clinical care following suicide
deaths. Its publication follows the release of figures showing
that 119 people lost their lives to suicide in English and Welsh
prisons in 2016.
The report finds that the majority of prisoners have multiple and
complex needs including poor mental health, but many do not get
access to mental health support. It concludes that prisons need
to shift from a primarily punitive approach to a culture centred
on wellbeing, recovery and rehabilitation.
The report sets out three vital steps to improve safety and
wellbeing. First, all prisons need to adopt a ‘stepped care’
approach in which the whole system is responsible for a
prisoner’s wellbeing and mental health support is available at
every level of need. Second, all prison staff need training and
support to support prisoners’ wellbeing, and look after their
own. And third, robust risk assessments are essential when a
person arrives at a prison.
Sarah Hughes, Chief Executive of Centre for Mental
Health, said: “Every loss of life in prison is a
tragedy for everyone involved. Our research shows that we need a
new approach to suicide prevention in prisons by putting safety
and wellbeing at the heart of our criminal justice system.
“We need to bring about a culture change in prisons that puts
safety top of the agenda, that understands the traumas both
prisoners and staff too often live with, and that means people
get the right help when they need it.
“Making the changes set out in our report will save lives and
enhance the rehabilitation of all prisoners.”
Frances Crook, Chief Executive of the Howard League for
Penal Reform, said: “Overcrowding and understaffing
in prisons is placing intolerable stress on staff and prisoners,
and putting lives at risk.
“No one should be so desperate while in the care of the state
that they take their own life. Staff who work in prisons should
never feel so under pressure that they cannot stop and listen.
“As prison suicides reach record levels, it is time for
action. By taking bold but sensible steps to reduce the
number of people in prison, we can save lives and prevent more
people being swept away into deeper currents of crime and
despair.”
Notes to editors
- 1. The Howard League for Penal Reform
is the oldest penal reform charity in the world. It is a national
charity working for less crime, safer communities and fewer
people in prison.
