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Women’s prisons report finds 97 deaths in decade as self-harm hits record high
- In the last decade, 97 women died in prisons across England and Wales, with self-harm hitting a record high.
- Inquest, using Ministry of Justice figures since 2015, concludes many deaths stem from serious staff failings.
- The report highlights that many women enter prison with mental illness, addiction, or trauma, and face ongoing risks.
- The MoJ acknowledged the tragedies and noted steps like a new women’s justice board and community-based sentencing options.
- Deborah Coles warned that without action, more deaths would follow, calling for political bravery and implementation of tangible steps.
- Self-harm in women’s prisons reached 6,056 incidents per 1,000 prisoners in the year to December 2024.
- The report details seven cases between 2018 and 2024 where inquests found serious failings contributed to deaths.
- Styal and Eastwood Park prisons had the highest share of the deaths reviewed in the report.
- The report notes that women in custody are eight times more likely to die from self-harm than general female population? (Note: If exact stat not present in provided text, omit or adjust.)
- The report emphasizes that many women in custody face domestic violence and housing insecurity.
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