Safety in custody statistics 2009
Source: data.gov.uk (2018-05-25)

Safety in Custody. Data on assaults, self-harm and assaults in prisons in England and Wales. Headline figures produced quarterly with more detailed figures produced annually in April.

Safety in Custody 2009 
England and Wales 
 
Ministry of Justice 
Statistics bulletin  
 
 
 
Published 22 July 2010 
 
 

 
Introduction 
Safety in custody statistics cover deaths, self-harm and assaults among 
prisoners in custody.  This publication contains statistics relating to self-
harm 2004 to 2009 and assaults in prison custody 2000 to 2009 in England 
and Wales.  Figures for deaths in custody for the same period (2000 to 
2009) were published in the first Safety in custody statistics bulletin on 
11 February 2010.  From next year we will publish all three areas together 
at the same time. 
 
This bulletin has been produced by the National Offender Management 
Service (NOMS).  NOMS monitors deaths, self-harm and assaults in prisons 
and has a range of related measures to help monitor overall safety.   
 
Although this publication concerns statistics, the incidents described in this 
report are, by their nature, tragic and distressing to the prisoners, their 
families and the staff who look after them.  The National Offender 
Management Service remains committed to managing self-harm and 
reducing violence in prison custody.   
 
When considering particular statistics readers should note the following:  
 
 Incidence of self-harm or assault is unevenly distributed around the 
prison estate.  This bulletin presents the figures broken down by key 
factors including age, gender and time in custody.  These, and random 
variation, explain many of the differences between prisons and particular 
risk groups.  
 
 In prisons, as in the community, self-harm is often covert and assaults 
may go unreported.  In prison custody, however, such incidents are 
more likely to be detected and counted.  Recording of self-harm and 
assault incidents in prison custody has improved over the years but it 
remains the case that they cannot be counted with absolute accuracy.  
 
From time to time, events in prison custody and developments within and 
outside NOMS have changed the way safety in prisons is viewed and 
managed.  Some have resulted in changes to the way offenders are 
managed on a day to day basis.  Others have affected the way statistics are 
collected and reported.  The timeline in Appendix A summarises some 
of key events and developments since 2000 which have affected safety in 
prison custody and supporting statistics.  The list is not comprehensive but 
does give an indication of the major factors affecting safety. 
 
 1

 
Summary 
This publication comments on trends relating to self-harm and assaults up 
to the end of 2009.  The underlying trends for each are assessed on 
changes to average annual rates. 
 
The prison population increased by just under 1,000 between June 2008 
and June 2009. However, both self-harm incidents and assault incidents fell 
between 2008 and 2009. This follows peaks in both series in 2008. 
 
Self-harm incidents per thousand of the prison population decreased from 
305 to 290 from 2008 to 2009.  The number of individuals self-harming 
increased between 2008 and 2009 from 6,458 to 6,977. There is however a 
marked difference between male and female prisoners:  around 7 per cent 
of male prisoners self-harm compared to over a third of female prisoners. 
 
The number of assault incidents per thousand of the population decreased 
from 195 to 180 between 2008 and 2009. In 2009, 1,319 of 15,180 total 
assault incidents or 9% were classified as serious.  There were 2,873 
assaults on staff (19% of all assault incidents).   
 
Table 1:  Summary statistics 
England and Wales
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
Prison Population
1
64,602
66,301 70,778
73,038
74,657
75,979
78,127 80,216
82,572
83,559
Self-harm incidents
2
19,694
23,781
23,400 23,001
25,234
24,114
Individuals self-harming
5,384
5,761
5,904
6,112
6,458
6,977
Assault incidents
3
9,440
10,719 11,562
11,876
12,613
14,411
15,057 15,272
15,959
15,180
Annual average incidents per 1,000 prisoners
Self-harm incidents
-
-
-
-
265
315
300
285
305
290
Assault incidents
3
145
160
165
165
170
190
195
190
195
180
Annual average incidents per 100,000 prisoners
Self-harm incidents
-
-
-
-
26,500
31,500
30,000 28,500
30,500
29,000
Assault incidents
3
14,500
16,000 16,500
16,500
17,000
19,000
19,500 19,000
19,500
18,000
Data Sources and Quality
These figures have been drawn from administrative IT systems.  Care is taken when processing and analysing returns but the detail is subject to the inaccuracies inherent in any 
large scale recording system. Although shown to the last case, the figures may not be accurate to that level.
(3) Assault statistics are derived from the NOMS incident reporting system.  For more information on offences and punishments see Chapter 8, Offender Management Caseload 
Statistics.
(1) As published in Offender Management and Caseload Statistics 2009.
(2) Self-harm statistics are derived from the NOMS incident reporting system.  A new system for monitoring self-harm was introduced in December 2002 and as a result recording 
improved throughout 2003.  Statistics collected before 2004 are not comparable with more recent figures.
 2

 
Self-harm 
Self-harm in prison custody is defined as, “any act where a prisoner 
deliberately harms themselves irrespective of the method, intent or severity 
of any injury.”  In the community, self-harm is common but often covert.  In 
prisons, such incidents are more likely to be detected and counted. The 
system for recording these incidents was implemented in December 2002 
and relatively complete data is available from 2004 onwards.   
 
Key self-harm statistics are summarised in Tables 1 and 2.  Although the 
number of self-harm incidents is provided, this particular measure, in 
isolation, is not a good indicator of underlying trend as a small number of 
individuals account for a large proportion of self-harm incidents.   
 
 In 2009, a total of 6,977 individual prisoners were recorded as having 
self-harmed.   
 
 Self harm incidents per 1,000 prisoners decreased from 305 to 290 
incidents (30,500 to 29,000 incidents per 100,000 prisoners) from 2008 
to 2009 (see table 1). 
 
 The number of individuals self-harming per 1,000 prisoners increased 
from 78 to 84 (7,800 to 8,350 per 100,000 prisoners) from 2008 to 2009. 
 
 Female prisoners who self-harm do so more frequently than male 
prisoners.  There are over 3 times the number of females self-harming 
per 1,000 prisoners compared to males (365 females compared to 68 
males). 
 
 In 2009, an average of 7 incidents for each female prisoner self-harming 
compared to 3 incidents for each male self-harming (see website, 
“Statistical tables:  self-harm,” Table 1). 
 
 
 3

 
Table 2:  Self harm summary statistics 
England and Wales
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
Prison Population
1
74,657
75,979
78,127
80,216
82,572
83,559
Male
70,209
71,512
73,680
75,842
78,158
79,277
Female
4,448
4,467
4,447
4,374
4,414
4,283
Self-harm incidents2,3
19,694
23,781
23,400
23,001
25,234
24,114
Male
9,923
10,605
12,023
11,633
12,221
13,688
Female
9,771
13,176
11,377
11,368
13,013
10,426
Individuals self-harming
2,4
5,384
5,761
5,904
6,112
6,458
6,977
Male
4,038
4,288
4,506
4,695
4,954
5,403
Female
1,346
1,473
1,398
1,417
1,504
1,574
Individuals self-harming
72.0
76.0
75.5
76.0
78.0
83.5
Male
57.5
60.0
61.0
62.0
63.5
68.0
Female
305.0
330.0
315.0
325.0
340.0
365.0
Individuals self-harming
7,200
7,600
7,550
7,600
7,800
8,350
Male
5,750
6,000
6,100
6,200
6,350
6,800
Female
30,500
33,000
31,500
32,500
34,000
36,500
Data Sources and Quality
These figures have been drawn from administrative IT systems.  Care is taken when processing and analysing the returns but the detail collected is subject to 
the inaccuracies inherent in any large scale recording system.  Although the figures are shown to the last individual the figures may not be accurate to that level.
(4) The numbers of different individuals are based on prison number and main age bands. An individual who was in prison custody on two occasions during a 
year but with two different numbers or age bands would be counted twice if he/she had self harmed at least once on each occasion.
(2) A new system for monitoring self harm was introduced in December 2002 and as a result recording of self harm improved throughout 2003. Numbers before 
2004 have therefore not been included as they are not directly comparable with later figures. 
(3) In prisons, as in the community, it is not possible to count self harm incidents with absolute accuracy. In prison custody, however, such incidents are more 
likely to be detected and counted. Care needs to be taken when comparing figures shown here with other sources where data may be less complete. 
Annual average for individuals self-harming per 1,000 prisoners
Annual average for individuals self-harming per 100,000 prisoners
(1) As published in Offender Management and Caseload Statistics 2009.
 4

 
 
 
In 2009, 5,509 incidents of self-harming occurred among the 15 to 20-year-
old age group.  This represents 23% of all incidents during that year.  
Analysis of the data by gender shows that incidents among those aged 15 
to 20 account for 24% male self-harm incidents and 22% female self-harm 
incidents. 
 
Table 3:  Self harm incidents by age group 
 
A g e  g r o u p
2 00 4
2 00 5
200 6
20 07
20 08
20 09
M A L E S A N D  F EM A L E S 1, 2
A l l A g e s
19, 69 4
23 ,78 1
23 ,40 0
23 ,0 01
2 5,2 34
2 4,1 14
15 -17  y ea r olds
1, 02 8
1 ,17 8
96 0
1 ,0 61
1,4 28
1,0 69
18  - 2 0
3, 65 9
5 ,00 5
4 ,94 3
4 ,5 41
4,9 70
4,4 40
21 -24
4, 07 9
4 ,29 4
4 ,07 7
4 ,8 35
5,5 01
4,4 44
25 -29
3, 39 0
4 ,23 0
4 ,28 0
3 ,9 36
3,8 11
4,0 97
30 -39
4, 01 3
5 ,08 8
5 ,04 9
4 ,4 32
5,5 06
5,0 31
40 -49
1, 18 3
1 ,86 0
2 ,40 7
2 ,2 92
2,1 03
2,3 62
50 -59
17 8
20 4
25 4
2 43
3 66
6 13
60  a nd ov er
3 0
3 9
2 3
80
74
84
N o t re co rde d
2, 13 4
1 ,88 3
1 ,40 7
1 ,5 81
1,4 75
1,9 74
M A L E S
A l l A g e s
9, 92 3
10 ,60 5
12 ,02 3
11 ,6 33
1 2,2 21
1 3,6 88
15 -17  y ea r olds
46 0
58 9
67 1
4 88
7 42
7 54
18  - 2 0
1, 58 4
1 ,80 0
2 ,09 4
2 ,0 05
1,9 81
2,4 96
21 -24
1, 66 3
1 ,73 1
1 ,98 8
2 ,1 06
2,2 26
2,3 28
25 -29
1, 73 4
1 ,70 6
2 ,08 3
1 ,9 82
2,0 26
2,2 11
30 -39
2, 41 7
2 ,47 2
2 ,88 9
2 ,7 06
2,7 41
2,9 66
40 -49
62 2
80 4
87 7
9 92
1,1 59
1,3 54
50 -59
10 4
15 2
20 3
1 43
1 92
2 69
60  a nd ov er
2 7
1 7
2 1
70
55
64
N o t re co rde d
1, 31 2
1 ,33 4
1 ,19 7
1 ,1 41
1,0 99
1,2 46
F E M A L ES
A l l A g e s
9, 77 1
13 ,17 6
11 ,37 7
11 ,3 68
1 3,0 13
1 0,4 26
15 -17  y ea r olds
56 8
58 9
28 9
5 73
6 86
3 15
18  - 2 0
2, 07 5
3 ,20 5
2 ,84 9
2 ,5 36
2,9 89
1,9 44
21 -24
2, 41 6
2 ,56 3
2 ,08 9
2 ,7 29
3,2 75
2,1 16
25 -29
1, 65 6
2 ,52 4
2 ,19 7
1 ,9 54
1,7 85
1,8 86
30 -39
1, 59 6
2 ,61 6
2 ,16 0
1 ,7 26
2,7 65
2,0 65
40 -49
56 1
1 ,05 6
1 ,53 0
1 ,3 00
9 44
1,0 08
50 -59
7 4
5 2
5 1
1 00
1 74
3
60  a nd ov er
3
2 2
2
10
19
20
N o t re co rde d
82 2
54 9
21 0
4 40
3 76
7 28
Da ta  S o ur c e s  a n d  Q u a lity
Th e s e  fig u re s h a v e  b e e n  d r a w n  fro m  a d m in is tra tiv e  IT  s ys te m s.  C a re  is ta ke n  w h e n  p ro ce ss in g  a n d  a n a ly sin g  th e  re tu rn s  b u t th e  
d e ta il co lle cte d  is  s u b je c t to  th e  in a cc u ra c ie s  in h e re n t in  a n y la rg e  s c a le  re co rd in g  s ys te m .  A lth o u g h  th e  fig u re s a re  sh o w n  t o  th e  la st 
in d iv id u a l th e  fig u re s  m a y  n o t b e  a c cu ra te  to  th a t le v e l.
N um be r of se lf -h arm  inc id en ts
E ng la nd and  W ales
(2 ) In  p ris o n s , a s  in  th e  co m m u n ity , it is  n o t p o s sib le  to  co u n t s e lf h a rm  in c id e n ts  w ith  a b s o lu te  a cc u ra c y . In  p ris o n  cu sto d y , h o w e ve r, 
su ch  in c id e n ts  a re  m o re  lik e ly  to  b e  d e te cte d  a n d  c o u n te d . C a re  n e e d s to  b e  ta ke n  wh e n  co m p a rin g  fig u re s  s h o w n  h e r e  w ith  o th e r 
so u rce s w h e re  d a ta  m a y b e  le s s co m p le te . 
(1 ) A  n e w  s ys te m  fo r m o n ito rin g  se lf h a rm  wa s in tr o d u c e d  in  De ce m b e r 2 0 0 2  a n d  a s a  re su lt re c o rd in g  o f s e lf h a rm  im p ro ve d  
th ro u g h o u t 2 0 0 3 . N u m b e rs b e fo re  2 0 0 4  h a ve  th e rfo re  n o t b e e n  in c lu d e d  a s th e y  a re  n o t d ire c tly  co m p a ra b le  w ith  la te r fig u re s .
44
 5

 
Table 4 shows the numbers of self-harm incidents by time in current prison.   
 
In 2009, 6,242 or 26% of self-harm incidents occurred within the first month 
of arriving in a prison. 
 
 
Table 4:  Self-harm incidents by time in current prison 
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
Time in current prison
On day of arrival
427
407
613
587
543
634
1 to 2 days
696
732
741
759
757
699
3 days to 1 week
1,400
1,573
1,445
1,433
1,418
1,360
1 week to 1 month
3,695
4,114
4,398
3,754
4,081
3,549
1 month to 3 months
4,752
5,792
5,924
5,465
5,953
5,062
3 months to 6 months
2,966
3,680
3,674
3,757
4,375
3,650
6 months to 1 year
1,793
2,891
2,763
2,569
2,770
2,841
Over 1 year
1,798
2,676
2,416
3,081
3,851
4,204
Missing details
2,167
1,916
1,426
1,596
1,486
2,115
Total self-harm incidents
19,694
23,781
23,400
23,001
25,234
24,114
Time in current prison:  males
On day of arrival
338
300
458
451
426
472
1 to 2 days
458
453
452
456
435
391
3 days to 1 week
812
854
815
748
727
725
1 week to 1 month
1,752
1,771
2,188
1,884
1,912
1,838
1 month to 3 months
2,142
2,146
2,736
2,461
2,581
2,657
3 months to 6 months
1,304
1,360
1,601
1,534
1,804
1,884
6 months to 1 year
862
1,189
1,246
1,319
1,370
1,671
Over 1 year
932
1,187
1,317
1,634
1,864
2,673
Missing details
1,323
1,345
1,210
1,146
1,102
1,377
Total male self-harm incidents
9,923
10,605
12,023
11,633
12,221
13,688
Time in current prison:  females
On day of arrival
89
107
155
136
117
162
1 to 2 days
238
279
289
303
322
308
3 days to 1 week
588
719
630
685
691
635
1 week to 1 month
1,943
2,343
2,210
1,870
2,169
1,711
1 month to 3 months
2,610
3,646
3,188
3,004
3,372
2,405
3 months to 6 months
1,662
2,320
2,073
2,223
2,571
1,766
6 months to 1 year
931
1,702
1,517
1,250
1,400
1,170
Over 1 year
866
1,489
1,099
1,447
1,987
1,531
Missing details
844
571
216
450
384
738
Total female self-harm incidents
9,771
13,176
11,377
11,368
13,013
10,426
Data Sources and Quality
These figures have been drawn from administrative IT systems.  Care is taken when processing and analysing the returns but the detail collected 
is subject to the inaccuracies inherent in any large scale recording system.  Although the figures are shown to the last individual the figures may 
not be accurate to that level.
England and Wales
(1) A new system for monitoring self harm was introduced in December 2002 and as a result recording of self harm improved throughout 2003. 
Numbers before 2004 have therfore not been included as they are not directly comparable with later figures.
(2) In prisons, as in the community, it is not possible to count self harm incidents with absolute accuracy. In prison custody, however, such 
incidents are more likely to be detected and counted. Care needs to be taken when comparing figures shown here with other sources where data 
may be less complete. 
 
 6

 
 
Assaults 
In 2009, 1,319 of 15,180 total assault incidents or 9% were classified as 
serious (see definition under Appendix B:  Data Sources and Quality).  
1,283 of these incidents occurred in male establishments; 36 of these 
incidents occurred in female establishments.   
 
In 2009, 2,873 or 19% of total assaults were on staff.  2,628 or 18% of total 
male assaults were on staff of which 255 or 10% were classified as serious.  
245 or 35% of total female assaults were on staff of which 12 or 5% were 
classified as serious. 
 
Table 5:  Assault summary statistics 
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
Prison Population
1
64,602
66,301
70,778
73,038
74,657
75,979
78,127
80,216
82,572
83,559
Males
61,252
62,561
66,479
68,613
70,209
71,512
73,680
75,842
78,158
79,277
Females
3,350
3,740
4,299
4,425
4,448
4,467
4,447
4,374
4,414
4,283
Assault incidents
2,3
9,440
10,719
11,562
11,876
12,613
14,411
15,057
15,272
15,959
15,180
Male establishments
8,881
10,085
10,814
11,068
11,752
13,323
13,895
14,268
15,054
14,475
Female establishments
559
634
748
808
861
1,088
1,162
1,004
905
705
Annual average assault incidents per 1,000 prisoners
Assault incidents
145
160
165
165
170
190
195
190
195
180
Male establishments
145
160
165
160
165
185
190
190
195
185
Female establishments
165
170
175
185
195
245
260
230
205
165
Annual average assault incidents per 100,000 prisoners
Assault incidents
14,500
16,000
16,500
16,500
17,000
19,000
19,500
19,000
19,500
18,000
Male establishments
14,500
16,000
16,500
16,000
16,500
18,500
19,000
19,000
19,500
18,500
Female establishments
16,500
17,000
17,500
18,500
19,500
24,500
26,000
23,000
20,500
16,500
Serious Assaults
795
796
956
1,160
1,220
1,372
1,404
1,485
1,491
1,319
Male establishments
748
756
917
1,095
1,137
1,306
1,344
1,435
1,448
1,283
Female establishments
47
40
39
65
83
66
60
50
43
36
Assaults on staff
2,192
2,700
2,851
2,893
3,204
3,502
3,530
3,273
3,211
2,873
Male establishments
1,944
2,412
2,553
2,592
2,895
3,067
3,006
2,863
2,859
2,628
Female establishments
248
288
298
301
309
435
524
410
352
245
Serious assaults on staff
173
181
196
267
272
299
279
285
283
267
Male establishments
161
169
188
247
246
277
254
266
264
255
Female establishments
12
12
8
20
26
22
25
19
19
12
Data Sources and Quality
These figures have been drawn from administrative IT systems.  Care is taken when processing and analysing returns but the detail is subject to the inaccuracies inherent 
in any large scale recording system. Although shown to the last case, the figures may not be accurate to that level.
(3) In prisons, as in the community, it is not possible to count assault incidents with absolute accuracy. In prison custody, however, such incidents are more likely to be 
detected and counted. Care needs to be taken when comparing figures shown here with other sources where data may be less complete. 
(2) Reported incidents before 2000 are not directly comparable with later figures and have therefore been excluded. Although figures for 2000 to 2002 have been included 
they are under-reported by modern standards.  It is now expected that all assaults, including fights, should be reported whether or not there was an injury.  As this was not 
the case in the past care needs to be taken when interpreting changes over the years.
England and Wales
(1) As published in Offender Management and Caseload Statistics 2009.
 
 
 7

 
 
Table 6 divides the data into prisoner assailants, fighters and victims.  The 
prisoner assailants and prisoner victims categories arise from assault 
incidents where there are clearly identified assailants and victims.  The 
prisoner fighter category arises from assault incidents where there is no 
clear victim.  The roles are determined by local investigation of the incident. 
 
The proportion of people involved in assault incidents decreases with age.  
Analysing the data by prisoner role, in 2009 those aged 15 to 20 years old 
accounted for 53% of total prisoner assailants, 63% of total prisoner 
fighters, and 43% of total prisoner victims.  These percentages decrease 
with each successive 10-year age bracket. 
 
Table 6:  Assault incidents by role and age 
 
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
Prisoner assailants
4,891
5,223
5,097
4,994
5,161
6,464
6,799
6,535
7,170
6,908
15-17
986
1,192
1,087
810
891
1,431
1,620
1,491
1,866
1,748
18-20
1,580
1,527
1,394
1,307
1,271
1,591
1,775
1,641
1,753
1,921
21-25
734
834
895
978
994
1,130
1,047
1,082
1,161
1,070
26-29
713
712
670
777
899
904
948
990
1,012
862
30-39
698
773
836
884
857
1,039
986
882
916
861
40-49
156
133
175
186
201
305
314
360
368
357
50-59
18
41
30
37
32
41
83
67
73
6
60 and over
4
9
10
13
16
22
26
22
21
19
Unknown
2
2
0
2
0
1
0
0
0
Prisoner fighters
6,104
6,978
7,556
7,718
7,666
9,556 10,447 11,386 11,627 11,217
15-17
1,882
2,461
2,329
2,213
2,052
3,264
3,654
4,045
4,248
3,184
18-20
2,332
2,419
2,836
2,637
2,463
3,065
3,184
3,564
3,617
3,907
21-25
726
781
924
1,113
1,146
1,162
1,290
1,318
1,369
1,483
26-29
534
580
640
736
894
919
1,009
1,103
1,033
1,180
30-39
518
615
685
815
885
924
997
989
994
1,051
40-49
94
104
119
180
207
191
270
317
309
362
50-59
11
16
21
17
15
24
35
40
36
3
60 and over
7
2
2
7
4
7
8
10
21
12
Unknown
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Prisoner victims
3,937
3,918
4,281
4,158
4,270
5,298
5,631
5,783
6,424
5,895
15-17
709
762
706
519
518
926
966
999
1,242
994
18-20
1,208
1,082
1,043
958
937
1,199
1,235
1,248
1,475
1,568
21-25
601
651
745
802
805
857
977
1,017
1,049
1,002
26-29
566
560
701
710
757
891
907
947
1,023
870
30-39
627
660
824
879
904
1,037
1,069
1,084
1,072
972
40-49
164
156
189
217
254
315
364
392
457
374
50-59
53
33
54
55
77
55
85
74
80
9
60 and over
9
14
19
18
18
18
28
22
26
2
Unknown
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Data Sources and Quality
These figures have been drawn from administrative IT systems.  Care is taken when processing and analysing the returns but the detail collected is subject to the 
inaccuracies inherent in any large scale recording system, and so although shown to the last case, the figures may not be accurate to that level.
(1)  Reported incidents before 2000 and prisoner involvements arising from them are not directly comparable with later figures and have therefore been excluded. Although 
figures for 2000 to 2002 have been included they are under-reported by modern standards.  It is now expected that all assaults, including fights, should be reported whether 
or not there was an injury.  Fights were less frequently reported in the past and therefore care needs to be taken when interpreting changes over the years.
England and Wales
(2) The unknown category used here refers to identified prisoners whose ages were not recorded on the system at the time of the incident.  They can arise when new 
prisoners are being escorted to prison for the first time and there has been insufficient tiome to enter all of the prisoner's details  The circumstances are such that fights with 
other prisoners or being a victim of an assault by another prisoner is less likely..  The unknown age category does NOT refer to unknown assailants
9
1
7
1
0
5
0
 
 
 
 8

 
Appendix A 
Timeline 
2000 
 March:  Zahid Mubarek murdered by racially motivated cell mate at HM 
Young Offenders Institution Feltham 
 
2002 
 December: New self-harm monitoring form introduced  
 New Cell Sharing Risk Assessment (CSRA) form introduced 
 
2003 
 January: Prison Service Order (PSO) 2700, “Suicide and Self Harm 
Prevention” launched 
 
2004 
 Joint Commission on Human Rights publishes, “Report on Deaths in 
Custody”  
 April: Apparent homicide of Shahid Aziz – Leeds 
 May: PSO 2750, “Violence Reduction Strategy” launched 
 
2006 
 New at risk prisoner care planning system, “Assessment Care in 
Custody and Teamwork” (ACCT) launched 
 Home Office and Department of Health create Forum for Preventing 
Deaths in Custody  
 Zahid Mubarek inquiry finishes 
 
2007 
 Prison staff issued with cut down tools 
 March:  Baroness Jean Corston publishes, a “Review of women with 
particular vulnerabilities in the Criminal Justice system” 
 October: PSO 2700 revised 
 December: Lord Carter publishes, “Proposals for the efficient and 
sustainable use of custody in England and Wales” 
 
2008 
 March: Robert Fulton publishes, “Independent review of the Forum for 
Preventing Deaths in Custody” 
 
2009 
 January: Review of NOMS Violence Reduction Strategy commenced  
 March: Lord Harris appointed of Chair of newly-formed Independent 
Advisory Council on Deaths in Custody 
 9

 
Appendix B 
Data Sources and Quality 
Although care is taken when processing and analysing the returns, the 
detail collected is subject to the inaccuracies inherent in any large-scale 
recording system such as the Incident Reporting System and NOMIS which 
was rolled out in 2009.  While the figures shown have been checked as far 
as practicable, they should be regarded as approximate and not necessarily 
accurate to the last whole number. 
 
Self-harm Information 
 
Detailed information on each self-harm incident in prison custody comes 
from the NOMS incident reporting system (IRS) and more recently NOMIS 
(the new prison IT system). Such information began to be collected in the 
early 1990s.  The focus then was on reporting serious incidents but the 
range of data has expanded to include all self-harm incidents whether or not 
an injury was sustained.   
 
The current self-harm monitoring system started in December 2002 but 
because recording of self-harm improved throughout 2003 the data used in 
this report is 2004 to 2009. 
 
In prisons, as in the community, it is not possible to count self-harm 
incidents with absolute accuracy. In prison custody, however, such incidents 
are more likely to be detected and counted. Care needs to be taken when 
comparing NOMS self-harm statistics with other sources where data may be 
less complete.  
 
 
Assaults information 
 
An assault is classified as serious if: 

        it is a sexual assault 
        it results in detention in outside hospital as an in-patient 
        it requires medical treatment for concussion or internal injuries 
        the injury is a fracture, scald or burn, stabbing, crushing, extensive or 
multiple bruising, black eye, broken nose, lost or broken tooth, cuts 
requiring suturing, bites or temporary or permanent blindness. 
 
Information on assaults comes from the NOMS incident reporting system, 
IIS and NOMIS.  Detailed recording of information on each assault incident 
began in the mid 1990s.  The early focus was on serious incidents. Fights 
between prisoners (assault incidents where there was no clear assailant 
and victim), were reported less often.  
 
10

 
 
 
All assault incidents, including fights, are now reported irrespective of 
whether an injury was sustained. Due to changes in categorisation of data, 
information prior to 2000 is not directly comparable with that collected later. 
 
Contact points for further information 
The current edition of this publication and more detailed spreadsheets are 
available for download at www.justice.gov.uk/publications/safer-custody.htm  
 
The previous news release on deaths 1996 – 2009 dated 1 January 2010 
can be found at www.justice.gov.uk/news/newsrelease010110a.htm .   
 
Future reports will be published on an annual basis.   
 
Press enquiries should be directed to the Ministry of Justice press office: 
 
Tel: xx-xxxx-xxxx 
 
Other enquiries about these statistics should be directed to: 
Peformance Management Group  
Ministry of Justice 
3rd Floor Abell House 
John Islip Street 
London  
SW1P 4LH 
 
Tel: xx-xxxx-xxxx 
 
General enquiries about the statistical work of the Ministry of Justice can be 
e-mailed to: xxx@xxx.xx 
 
General information about the official statistics system of the UK is available 
from www.statistics.gov.uk 
11

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
© Crown copyright 
Produced by the Ministry of Justice 
Alternative formats are available on request from 
xxx@xxx.xx 
 
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