| answer text |
<p>The table below sets out the number of self-inflicted deaths of remand prisoners
in the ten years to December 2021. It also shows the percentage of all such deaths
that were of remand prisoners.</p><p> </p><p>Our figures refer to self-inflicted deaths,
rather than suicides. Self-inflicted deaths include any death of a person who has
apparently taken his or her own life, irrespective of intent. This includes not only
suicides but also accidental deaths as a result of the person’s own actions. We use
this classification because we cannot always know whether someone intended to take
their own life. Those are ultimately decisions for coroners, who investigate all deaths
in custody. For similar reasons, we cannot identify “attempted suicides” separately
from other forms of self-harm, as we may not know the prisoner’s intention.</p><p>
</p><p>HM Prison & Probation Service does not operate a different approach to
the prevention of suicide and self-harm among remand prisoners. All prisoners at risk
of self-harm and suicide are supported equally, regardless of their situation. We
recognise that remand is a known risk factor for self-harm and support is tailored
to prisoners’ needs, particularly in the early days and weeks of custody. Following
the unavoidable closure of courts in response to Covid-19, we are taking positive
action to ensure more cases are heard and therefore to reduce the number of remand
prisoners. This includes extending 32 nightingale courtrooms this year, installing
video link equipment in all courts and increasing its capacity in prisons, removing
the limit on Crown Court sitting days during 2021/22, and continuing to give priority
to cases involving custody time limits.</p><p><strong>Self-inflicted deaths of remand
prisoners, 2012 to 2021</strong></p><table><tbody><tr><td><p>year</p></td><td><p>number
of self-inflicted deaths</p></td><td><p>% of all self-inflicted deaths</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2012</p></td><td><p>18</p></td><td><p>30%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2013</p></td><td><p>29</p></td><td><p>38%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2014</p></td><td><p>26</p></td><td><p>29%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2015</p></td><td><p>36</p></td><td><p>40%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2016</p></td><td><p>33</p></td><td><p>27%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2017</p></td><td><p>73</p></td><td><p>21%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2018</p></td><td><p>27</p></td><td><p>29%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2019</p></td><td><p>24</p></td><td><p>28%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2020</p></td><td><p>19</p></td><td><p>28%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2021</p></td><td><p>32</p></td><td><p>37%</p></td></tr></tbody></table>
|
|
