Safety in custody bulletin
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 Statistics 
England and Wales 
Deaths in prison custody to 
March 2015  
Assaults and Self-harm to 
December 2014 
 
 
Ministry of Justice  
Statistics bulletin 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
30 April 2015 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
Contents 
 
 
 
Introduction .........................................................................................................................- 3 - 
 
Key findings ........................................................................................................................- 6 - 
 
Deaths in custody ...............................................................................................................- 7 - 
 
Self-harm ..........................................................................................................................- 14 - 
 
Assaults ............................................................................................................................- 18 - 
 
References........................................................................................................................- 24 - 
 
List of tables and figures...................................................................................................- 25 - 
 
Data Sources and Data Quality ........................................................................................- 27 - 
 
Explanatory notes .............................................................................................................- 27 - 
 
Contact points...................................................................................................................- 28 - 
 
 
 
 
- 2 -

Introduction 
 
Safety in custody statistics cover deaths, self-harm and assaults in prison custody in 
England and Wales. This publication updates statistics on assaults and self-harm up to 
December 2014 and statistics on deaths in prison custody up to March 2015. Supplementary 
tables, providing more in depth statistics on deaths, self-harm and assaults on a calendar 
year basis, are also available alongside this bulletin and can be found at 
www.gov.uk/government/collections/safety-in-custody-statistics.  
 
The United Kingdom Statistics Authority has designated these statistics as National 
Statistics, in accordance with the Statistics and Registration Service Act 2007 and signifying 
compliance with the Code of Practice for Official Statistics.  
 
Designation can be broadly interpreted to mean that the statistics:  
• meet identified user needs;  
• are well explained and readily accessible;  
• are produced according to sound methods; and  
• are managed impartially and objectively in the public interest.  
 
Once statistics have been designated as National Statistics it is a statutory requirement that 
the Code of Practice shall continue to be observed. 
 
In interpreting the statistics contained within this bulletin, users are recommended to read 
with it the accompanying ‘Guide to Safety in Custody Statistics1’ that includes technical and 
background information on the production of these statistics, and more information on data 
quality.  
 
When considering particular statistics, readers should note the following:  
 
 
 
Risk of death, self-harm or assaults is distributed unevenly around the prison estate. 
Age, gender, time in custody 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.  
 
Although this publication concerns statistics, the incidents described in this report are, by 
their nature, tragic and distressing to the prisoners, their families and staff.  
 
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. Others have affected the way statistics are 
collected and reported. The accompanying guide includes a timeline summarising some of 
the key events and developments that have affected safety in prison custody and supporting 
statistics. These help with interpretation of longer term trends.  
 
 
 
Changes and revisions in this publication 
                                                 
1 Guide to Safety in Custody Statistics www.gov.uk/government/collections/safety-in-custody-statistics  
 
- 3 -

This publication has updated figures on deaths to the end of March 2015. 
 
 
Users and uses of these Statistics 
The cost of deaths, self-harm and assaults in prison custody, in both human and financial 
terms is high. This report adds to the body of learning in this area and supports work to 
prevent such tragedies in future. The contents support a wide range of operational and 
strategic decisions including:  
 
 
Management of risk;  
 
Deployment of staff (identification of high risk periods and locations etc.); 
 
Design of prison cells (identification and reduction of ligature points); 
 
Assessment of changes in sentencing and other policies affecting prisoners.  
 
The statistics included in this publication are used extensively and meet a broad spectrum of 
user needs as shown below. 
User 
Summary of main statistical needs 
MOJ Ministers 
Use the statistics to monitor the safety and wellbeing of the prison 
population; assess policy impacts (e.g. changes to managing 
vulnerable prisoners) 
MPs and House of 
Lords 
Statistics are frequently used to answer parliamentary questions  
Policy teams 
Statistics are used to inform policy development, to monitor 
impact of changes over time and to model future changes and 
their impact on the system 
Agencies responsible 
for offender 
management 
 
Current and historical robust administrative data are used to 
support performance management information at national and 
local levels to complement their understanding of the current 
picture and trends over time 
Academia, students 
and businesses 
Used as a source of statistics for research purposes and to 
support lectures, presentations and conferences 
Journalists 
Used as a compendium of robust data on safety in custody so that 
an accurate and coherent story can be told on the safety of the 
prison environment. 
Voluntary sector 
Data are used to monitor trends of the safety and wellbeing of 
prisoners, to reuse the data in their own briefing and research 
papers and to inform policy work and responses to consultations. 
General public 
Data are used to respond to ad-hoc requests and requests made 
under the Freedom of Information Act.  Recent requests include 
number of deaths, self-harm and assaults in prisons. 
 
NOMS regularly receives requests for statistics for more recent, or different, date periods 
than those covered in published statistics. In accordance with the Code of Practice for 
Official Statistics, NOMS is generally unable to release statistics for periods beyond those 
published in Official Statistics publications. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
- 4 -

Related publications 
This bulletin is published alongside two inter-related bulletins:  
 
Offender Management Statistics Quarterly Bulletin2: This provides key statistics relating 
to offenders who are in prison or under Probation Service supervision. It covers flows into 
these services (receptions into prison or probation starts) and flows out (discharges from 
prison or probation terminations) as well as the caseload of both services at specific points in 
time. 
 
Proven Re-offending Statistics Quarterly3: This provides proven re-offending figures for 
offenders who were released from custody, received a non-custodial conviction at court, 
received a caution, reprimand, warning or tested positive for opiates or cocaine.  
 
Taken together, these publications present users with a more coherent overview of offender 
management, re-offending among both adults and young people and the safety of offenders 
whilst in prison custody. 
 
Release Schedule 
This bulletin was published on 30 April 2015 and includes statistics covering 12-month 
periods to end of December 2014 for self-harm and assaults and 12 month periods to end of 
March 2015 for deaths.  
 
The next publication of Safety in Custody statistics is scheduled to be published on 30 July 
2015, covering 12-month periods to end of March 2015 for assaults and self-harm and June 
2015 for deaths in prison custody. 
                                                 
2 Offender Management Statistics www.gov.uk/government/collections/offender-management-statistics-quarterly  
3 Proven Reoffending Statistics www.gov.uk/government/collections/proven-reoffending-statistics  
 
 
- 5 -

Key findings 
 
Table 1: Safety in Custody Summary Statistics, England and Wales 
 
Mar 06
Mar 07
Mar 08
Mar 09
Mar 10
Mar 11
Mar 12
Mar 13
Mar 14
Mar 15
Total deaths1
168
161
189
163
180
185
211
181
225
239
Self-inflicted
74
72
84
64
59
54
67
52
88
76
Natural Causes
88
85
99
94
116
115
135
118
130
144
Homicide
3
0
1
3
0
2
1
2
3
4
Other2
3
4
5
2
5
14
8
9
4
Dec 05
Dec 06
Dec 07
Dec 08
Dec 09
Dec 10
Dec 11
Dec 12
Dec 13
Dec 14
Self-harm incidents1
23,781
23,400
23,000
25,234
24,184
26,979
24,648
23,158
23,230
25,775
Males
10,420
11,899
11,592
12,219
13,706
14,347
15,829
16,567
17,216
18,995
Females
13,361
11,501
11,408
13,015
10,478
12,632
8,819
6,591
6,014
6,780
Assault incidents1
14,413
15,057
15,272
15,959
15,180
14,335
15,440
14,511
14,664
16,196
Males
13,324
13,895
14,267
15,054
14,475
13,682
14,742
13,961
14,145
15,549
Females
1,089
1,162
1,005
905
705
653
698
550
519
647
1. Figures include incidents at NOMS operated Immigration Removal Centres
12 months ending
2. ‘Other’ deaths include accidental and other difficult to classify deaths including those for which further information is 
awaited.  A small proportion of the most recent two years figures are expected to be reclassified as natural causes. 
12 months ending
15
 
 
Deaths in prison Custody 
 
In the 12 months to March 2015 there were 239 deaths in prison custody – an 
increase of 14 compared to the 12 months ending March 2014. These deaths 
comprise of: 
 
76 apparent self-inflicted deaths, down from 88 on the same period in 2014  
 
144 deaths due to natural causes, up from 130 on the same period in 2014  
 
4 apparent homicides, up from 3 on the same period in 2014; 
 
15 other deaths, 11 of which are yet to be classified - awaiting further information.  
 
Self-harm 
In 2014 there were: 
 
25,775 reported incidents of self-harm, up by 2,545 incidents (11%) from 2013 
 
302 self-harm incidents per 1,000 prisoners, compared with 276 incidents per 1,000 
prisoners in 2013 (up 9%) 
 
7,722 prisoners reported to have self-harmed, up 780 (11%) from 2013 
 
91 individuals self-harming per 1,000 prisoners, up by 9 per 1,000 prisoners (11%) 
from 2013.  
 
Assaults 
 
Changes to quality assurance processes in 2013 led to improved reporting of 
assaults.   
In 2014 there were: 
 
16,196 assault incidents, up 10% from 14,664 incidents in 2013  
 
190 assault incidents per 1,000 prisoners, up from 174 in 2013. 
 
3,637 assaults on staff, up 11% from 3,266 incidents in 2013  
 
43 assault on staff incidents per 1,000 prisoners, up from 39 in 2013 
 
2,145 serious assaults up 35% from 1,588 in 2013.  
 
477 serious assaults on staff up 33% from 359 in 2013. 
 
- 6 -

1 Deaths in custody  
 
In the 12 months to March 2015 there were 239 deaths in prison custody – an increase 
of 14 compared to the same period of 2013. These deaths comprise of: 
 
76 apparent self-inflicted deaths, down from 88 on the same period in 2014 
(14% decrease); 
 
144 deaths due to natural causes, up from 130 on the same period in 2014 
(11% increase); 
 
4 apparent homicides, up from 3 on the same period in 2014; 
 
15 other deaths, 11 of which are yet to be classified  
A death in prison custody is defined as ‘any death of a person in prison custody arising from 
an incident in or, on rare occasions, immediately prior to prison custody’.  
 
All deaths in prison custody are subject to a police investigation and a coroner’s inquest. 
Once the inquest has been concluded, the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman’s office 
publish a detailed ‘Fatal Incident Report’4 on the death. Until this time, for administrative and 
statistical purposes NOMS classify deaths by apparent cause of death.  
 
Annual supplementary tables published alongside this bulletin5 show that the key population 
factors in determining risk of death in custody are: 
 
 
Age: Older prisoners are more likely to die of natural causes. Self-inflicted death risk 
varies with age. In absolute terms, the peak of self-inflicted deaths is amongst 
prisoners in their 30s, although when considering rates, the peak is amongst 
prisoners in their 40s and 50s; 
 
Time in custody: Self-inflicted deaths are more likely in the early stages of custody; 
 
Gender: Female prisoners are less likely to die in custody. 
 
Table 2: Deaths in Custody Summary Statistics, England and Wales 
Mar 05
Mar 06
Mar 07
Mar 08
Mar 09
Mar 10
Mar 11
Mar 12
Mar 13
Mar 14
Mar 15
DEATHS
Deaths in prison custody1 2
197
168
161
189
163
180
185
211
181
225
239
Self-inflicted
87
74
72
84
64
59
54
67
52
88
Natural Causes
101
88
85
99
94
116
115
135
118
130
144
Homicide
2
3
0
1
3
0
2
1
2
3
Other3
7
3
4
5
2
5
14
8
9
4
of which
Other/Non-natura
76
4
15
l
7
3
4
5
2
5
14
8
9
2
4
Awaiting further information
-
-
-
-
-
0
0
0
0
2
11
Deaths per 1,000 prisoners
2.6
2.2
2.0
2.3
2.0
2.1
2.2
2.4
2.1
2.7
2.8
Self-inflicted
1.2
1.0
0.9
1.0
0.8
0.7
0.6
0.8
0.6
1.0
0.9
Natural Causes
1.4
1.2
1.1
1.2
1.1
1.4
1.4
1.6
1.4
1.5
1.7
Deaths by Gender
Male
179
161
155
181
158
174
176
207
175
219
228
Female
18
7
6
8
5
6
9
4
6
6
2. Data includes incidents at NOMS run Immigration Removal Centres
1. All classifications of deaths remain provisional until confirmed at inquest.
3. A minority of the most recent two years figures for 'other' deaths are expected to be re-classified as natural causes
12 months ending
11
 
 
                                                 
4 Prisons and Probation Ombudsman: Fatal Incident Reports www.ppo.gov.uk/prison-investigations.html 
5 Deaths in Custody: Deaths tables at www.gov.uk/government/collections/safety-in-custody-statistics  
 
- 7 -

As there are a number of deaths yet to be classified it is likely that some will be reclassified 
as natural cause deaths when sufficient information becomes available, and some may be 
reclassified as self-inflicted. For this reason all figures for the last two years are provisional. 
1.1 Overall mortality 
There were 239 deaths in prison custody in the 12 months to the end of March 2015. The 
majority of deaths in prison custody were from natural causes (144 deaths (60%)), with self-
inflicted deaths making up just under one-third of deaths. 
 
Figure 1: Number of deaths in prison custody, 2000 to March 2015  
(rolling 12 month totals by quarter) 
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
Dec 00
Jun 01
Dec 01
Jun 02
Dec 02
Jun 03
Dec 03
Jun 04
Dec 04
Jun 05
Dec 05
Jun 06
Dec 06
Jun 07
Dec 07
Jun 08
Dec 08
Jun 09
Dec 09
Jun 10
Dec 10
Jun 11
Dec 11
Jun 12
Dec 12
Jun 13
Dec 13
Jun 14
Dec 14
12 months to
Number of deaths
Green bars represent calendar year totals
 
 
The prison population has increased over the last 10 years and, therefore everything else 
being equal, a corresponding increase in the number of deaths would be expected. The 
death rate better shows the trend in deaths taking into account changes in the size of the 
prison population. Figure 2, shows the 12 month rolling death rate fell to 2.8 deaths per 
1,000 prisoners following increases in the previous eight reporting periods.   
 
 
- 8 -

Figure 2: Deaths per 1,000 prisoners by apparent cause, 2000 to March 2015 
(rolling 12 month totals by quarter) 
0.0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
3.0
Dec 00
Jun 01
Dec 01
Jun 02
Dec 02
Jun 03
Dec 03
Jun 04
Dec 04
Jun 05
Dec 05
Jun 06
Dec 06
Jun 07
Dec 07
Jun 08
Dec 08
Jun 09
Dec 09
Jun 10
Dec 10
Jun 11
Dec 11
Jun 12
Dec 12
Jun 13
Dec 13
Jun 14
Dec 14
Number of deaths per 1,000 prisoners
Total deaths
Self-inflicted
Natural causes
Other
 
1.2 Self-inflicted deaths 
 
 
76 self-inflicted deaths in the12 months to March 2015, 12 (14%) less than in the 
12 months ending March 2014. 
 
The rate of self-inflicted deaths decreased to 0.9 per 1,000 prisoners, from 1.0 
in the previous year. 
 
Self-inflicted deaths are any death of a person who has apparently taken his or her own life 
irrespective of intent. This not only includes suicides but also accidental deaths as a result of 
the person’s own actions. This classification is used because it is not always known whether 
a person intended to commit suicide.  
 
Self-inflicted deaths decreased to 76 in the 12 months ending March 2015 compared to 88 in 
the same period of 2014. Quarterly figures remain volatile.  The 12 month rolling numbers of 
self-inflicted deaths (see figure 3) and corresponding rate (figure 2) have both fallen. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
- 9 -

Figure 3: Number of apparent self-inflicted deaths in prison custody, between 2000 to 
March 2015 (rolling 12 month totals by quarter) 
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
Dec 00
Jun 01
Dec 01
Jun 02
Dec 02
Jun 03
Dec 03
Jun 04
Dec 04
Jun 05
Dec 05
Jun 06
Dec 06
Jun 07
Dec 07
Jun 08
Dec 08
Jun 09
Dec 09
Jun 10
Dec 10
Jun 11
Dec 11
Jun 12
Dec 12
Jun 13
Dec 13
Jun 14
Dec 14
12 months to
Number of deaths
Green bars represent calendar year totals
 
 
 
1.3 Natural cause deaths 
 
144 natural cause deaths in the 12 months ending March 2015, 14 (11%) more than in 
the 12 months ending March 2014; 
 
The rate of natural cause deaths increased to 1.7 deaths per 1,000 prisoners from 
1.5 in the previous year. 
 
Natural cause deaths include any death of a person as a result of a naturally occurring 
disease process.  
 
There were 144 deaths from natural causes in the 12 months ending March 2015. This 
figure is likely to increase as it is typical for some of the deaths awaiting further information 
to be reclassified as natural causes. The uncertainty on the figures will not be entirely 
removed until after inquest. The current figure is 14 (11%) higher than the number of natural 
cause deaths in the 12 months ending March 2014. 
 
Figure 4 shows that natural cause deaths have been on a general upward trend over the last 
decade, albeit with fluctuations between reporting periods. The prison population has been 
aging (see page 6 of the NOMS Offender Equalities report) 
https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/noms-annual-offender-equalities-report-2013-to-
2014 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
- 10 -

 
Figure 4: Number of apparent natural cause deaths in prison custody, 2000 to March 
2015 (rolling 12 month totals by quarter)  
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
Dec 00
Jun 01
Dec 01
Jun 02
Dec 02
Jun 03
Dec 03
Jun 04
Dec 04
Jun 05
Dec 05
Jun 06
Dec 06
Jun 07
Dec 07
Jun 08
Dec 08
Jun 09
Dec 09
Jun 10
Dec 10
Jun 11
Dec 11
Jun 12
Dec 12
Jun 13
Dec 13
Jun 14
Dec 14
12 months to
Number of deaths
Green bars represent calendar year totals
 
1.4 Homicides 
Homicides include any death of a person at the hands of another. This includes murder and 
manslaughter cases. As with self-inflicted deaths, the classification system does not make 
any judgement about intent. 
 
 
4 apparent homicides in the 12 months ending March 2015 compared with 3 in the 12 
months ending March 2014; 
 
Homicides are relatively rare accounting for about 1% of all deaths in prison custody.  
 
Homicides in prison custody are relatively rare, ranging between 0 and 4 in any year since 
1979. 
 
Cell-sharing risk assessments were introduced in 2002 with the aim of reducing the risk of 
placing prisoners in cells where they may cause harm to their cell companion. 
1.5 Other deaths 
‘Other’ deaths include any death of a person whose death cannot easily be classified as 
natural causes, self-inflicted or homicide. The category includes accidents and cases where 
the cause of death is unknown even after all of the investigations have been concluded.  
 
There were 15 other deaths in the 12 months ending March 2015 (6% of all deaths). This 
number is not directly comparable with earlier years as some of the deaths in this category 
are likely to be reclassified (typically as either natural cause or other/non-natural deaths) 
following inquest.  
 
 
- 11 -

The numbers in this category have increased in recent years due to a number of cases that 
have proved difficult to classify.  
 
The majority of deaths for which information is awaited beyond three months are expected to 
be classified as either ‘other/other non-natural’ or natural causes.  
 
Some of the cases in the aggregated ‘other’ category appear to be drug related but there is 
insufficient information to classify any to be self-inflicted. The uncertainty will not be entirely 
removed until after inquest. 
 
 
1.6 Comparison of deaths in prison with those in the general 
population 
 
Figure 5: Annual Standardised Mortality Ratio (SMR) for prison population 
 
0
50
100
150
200
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
Standardised Mortality Ratio
 
 
 
The prison population is very different from the general population: 95% of the prison 
population are male, there are no prisoners aged under 15 and relatively few are over 60. As 
a result, rates of deaths in prison custody cannot be compared directly with those for the 
general population. One technique used for comparing mortality rates for different 
populations is known as the Standardised Mortality Ratio (SMR). 
 
Figure 5 is based on annual data and shows the Standardised Mortality Ratio (SMR) for the 
prison population and its 95% confidence interval. It compares overall deaths with those of 
the general population of England and Wales taking into account differences in age and 
gender. If the minimum of the SMR confidence level of the SMR is above 1, then this 
indicates that the mortality rate of the prison population is significantly higher than that of the 
general population. In 2014, the SMR for the prison population was significantly higher than 
 
- 12 -

the general population with a ratio of 1.40 with a lower bound 95% confidence interval of 
1.23 and an upper bound of 1.50. In seven out of the last ten years, prison mortality has 
been significantly higher than that of the general population. The increase in the ratio in 
2014 compared with 2013 is not significant. 
 
The chart is updated annually on a calendar year basis when the underlying data become 
available. 
 
- 13 -

2  Self-harm  
 
 
In 2014 there were 
 
25,775 reported incidents of self-harm, up by 2,545 incidents (11%) from 2013 
 
302 self-harm incidents per 1,000 prisoners, compared with 276 incidents per 
1,000 prisoners in 2013 (up 9%) 
 
7,722 prisoners reported to have self-harmed, up 780 (11%) from 2013 
 
91 individuals self-harming per 1,000 prisoners, up by 9 per 1,000 prisoners (11%) 
from 2013.  
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.” Those who self-harm 
often do so covertly. In the community, such self-harm will often go undetected. In prisons, 
such incidents are more likely to be detected and counted although there will still be 
incidents that are not detected. 
 
Annual statistics suggest the key factors determining the risk of self-harm in custody are:  
 
Age: Younger prisoners are more likely to self-harm than older prisoners6; 
 
Time in custody: A disproportionate amount of self-harm occurs in the early stages of 
custody7. 
 
Gender: Females are more likely to self-harm than males. 
 
Table 3: Self-harm in Custody Summary Statistics, England and Wales 
Dec 05
Dec 06
Dec 07
Dec 08
Dec 09
Dec 10
Dec 11
Dec 12
Dec 13
Dec 14
SELF-HARM
Self-harm incidents1
23,781
23,400
23,000
25,234
24,184
26,979
24,648
23,158
23,230
25,775
Males
10,420
11,899
11,592
12,219
13,706
14,347
15,829
16,567
17,216
18,995
Females
13,361
11,501
11,408
13,015
10,478
12,632
8,819
6,591
6,014
6,780
Self-harm individuals2
5,837
6,090
6,296
6,586
7,149
6,767
6,907
6,821
6,942
7,722
Males
4,348
4,652
4,847
5,058
5,535
5,418
5,606
5,703
5,897
6,618
Females
1,489
1,438
1,449
1,528
1,614
1,349
1,301
1,118
1,045
1,104
Self-harm incidents per 1,000 prisoners
313
299
286
305
289
318
287
267
276
302
Males
146
161
153
156
173
178
194
201
214
233
Females
2,991
2,586
2,608
2,949
2,447
2,982
2,106
1,587
1,546
1,736
Self-harm individuals per 1,000 prisoners2
77
78
78
80
86
80
80
79
82
91
Males
61
63
64
65
70
67
69
69
73
Females
333
323
331
346
377
318
311
269
269
283
Self-harm incidents per individual
4.1
3.8
3.7
3.8
3.4
4.0
3.6
3.4
3.3
3.3
Males
2.4
2.6
2.4
2.4
2.5
2.6
2.8
2.9
2.9
2.9
Females
9.0
8.0
7.9
8.5
6.5
9.4
6.8
5.9
5.8
6.1
Hospital Attendances
1,219
1,214
1,290
1,290
1,304
1,386
1,540
1,547
1,603
1,749
Males
985
1,001
1,104
1,083
1,131
1,208
1,381
1,391
1,484
1,617
Females
234
213
186
207
173
178
159
156
119
132
1. Figures include incidents at NOMS operated Immigration Removal Centres
12 months ending
2. Numbers of individuals should be treated as approximate as the details of prisoners are not always recorded against each self-harm incident.
81
 
 
The number of reported self-harm incidents increased by 11% in the 12 months to 
December 2014 to 25,775 compared with 23,230 incidents in the same period a year earlier.  
 
As self-harm rates differ between males and females it is best to consider the trends 
separately. 
                                                 
6 Safety in Custody: Self-harm Table 2.4  
7 Safety in Custody: Self-harm Table 2.5 www.gov.uk/government/collections/safety-in-custody-statistics 
 
- 14 -

 
 
Figure 6: Number of self-harm incidents in prison custody by gender 2004-2014  
(rolling 12 month totals by quarter) 
0
3000
6000
9000
12000
15000
18000
21000
Mar 04
Sep 04
Mar 05
Sep 05
Mar 06
Sep 06
Mar 07
Sep 07
Mar 08
Sep 08
Mar 09
Sep 09
Mar 10
Sep 10
Mar 11
Sep 11
Mar 12
Sep 12
Mar 13
Sep 13
Mar 14
Sep 14
Number of incidents
Males
Females
 
2.1 Male self-harm 
 
 
In 2014 there were: 
 
18,995 reported incidents of self-harm by male prisoners, up 1,779 incidents 
(10%) in the previous year. 
 
233 incidents per 1,000 male prisoners, up 19 (9%) compared with 2013.   
 
6,618 male prisoners self-harmed, up 721 (12%) from 2013. 
 
Of those male prisoners who self-harm, they carried out, on average, 2.9 self-harm 
incidents in 2014, the same as the previous year.  
The number of reported male self-harm incidents increased by 10% in 2014 to 18,995 
incidents compared with 17,216 incidents in 2013. This continues the long term trend of the 
number of self-harm incidents amongst male prisoners increasing. 
 
The number of incidents is affected by changes in the size of the prison population. The rate 
per 1,000 prisoners accounts for changes in the prison population. This also increased over 
the period to 233 incidents per 1,000 prisoners in 2014 compared with 214 incidents per 
1,000 prisoners a year earlier. 
 
The number of male prisoners reported to have self-harmed has increased to 6,618 in 2014 
from 5,897 in 2013 (an increase of 12%). However, approximately 5% of male self-harm 
incidents do not have the prisoner’s details recorded and so the actual number of males self-
harming is likely to be higher.  
 
 
- 15 -

2.2 Female self-harm 
 
In 2014 there were: 
 
 
6,780 incidents of self-harm by female prisoners, up 766 incidents (13%) from 
2013; 
 
1,104 female prisoners self-harmed, up 59 (6%) on the previous year 
 
283 females per 1,000 female prisoners, up 14 per 1,000 female prisoners (5%) on 
the previous 12 months; 
 
Female prisoners who self-harm, were responsible for 6.1 self-harm incidents on 
average, up 0.3 incidents (5%) in 2013. 
The number of reported female self-harm incidents increased by 13% in 2014 to 6,780 
incidents compared with 6,014 incidents in 2013. The rate of self-harm incidents increased 
to 1,736 incidents per 1,000 female prisoners compared with 1,546 incidents per 1,000 
female prisoners. This increase reverses the downward trend seen since 2010. 
 
The number of female prisoners recorded to have self-harmed in 2014 increased to 1,104 
prisoners from 1,045 prisoners in 2013. The rate of female prisoners self-harming increased  
to 283 females per 1,000 female prisoners in 2014 compared with 269 per 1,000 female 
prisoners a year earlier (figure 7). As with males there is a small percentage of female self-
harm incidents, typically less than 5%, where the individual involved is not recorded. 
 
This has reversed the recent falling trend of self-harm by female prisoners which fell by 50% 
between 2010 (12,632 incidents) and 2013 (6,014 incidents).  Over the same period the rate 
of females who self-harmed fell by 15% (318 females per 1,000 female prisoners and 269 
females per 1,000 female prisoners respectively). 
 
 
- 16 -

Figure 7: Self-harming individuals per 1,000 prisoners by gender, England and Wales 
(rolling 12 months by quarter) 
0
100
200
300
400
Mar 04
Sep 04
Mar 05
Sep 05
Mar 06
Sep 06
Mar 07
Sep 07
Mar 08
Sep 08
Mar 09
Sep 09
Mar 10
Sep 10
Mar 11
Sep 11
Mar 12
Sep 12
Mar 13
Sep 13
Mar 14
Sep 14
Individuals per 1,000 prisoners
Male individuals
Female individuals
 
 
Despite the falls seen in recent years, self-harm by females continue to account for a 
disproportionate amount of self-harm in prison custody – females accounted for 27% of self-
harm incidents in this reporting period but only make up around 5% of the prison population. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
- 17 -

3 Assaults (including fights) 
 
 
Changes to quality assurance processes in 2013 led to improved reporting of 
assaults.  
 
In 2014 there were: 
 
 
16,196 assault incidents, up 10% from 14,664 incidents in 2013  
 
190 assault incidents per 1,000 prisoners, up from 174 in 2013. 
 
3,637 assaults on staff, up 11% from 3,266 incidents in 2013  
 
43 assault on staff incidents per 1,000 prisoners, up from 39 in 2013 
 
2,145 serious assault up 35% from 1,588 in 2013.  
 
477 serious assaults on staff up 33% from 359 in 2013. 
Assaults in prison custody cover a wide range of violent incidents including fights between 
prisoners.  NOMS does not use the Home Office counting rule definitions of Actual Bodily 
Harm (ABH), Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH), affray etc. because of the difficulty of 
determining this at the time an incident is reported.  As a result, assault incident figures 
cannot be compared directly with offences.   
 
Table 4: Assault incidents Summary Statistics, England and Wales 
Dec 05
Dec 06
Dec 07
Dec 08
Dec 09
Dec 10
Dec 11
Dec 12
Dec 13
Dec 14
ASSAULTS
Assault incidents1 2
14,413
15,057
15,272
15,959
15,180
14,335
15,440
14,511
14,664
16,196
Male establishments
13,324
13,895
14,267
15,054
14,475
13,682
14,742
13,961
14,145
15,549
Female establishments
1,089
1,162
1,005
905
705
653
698
550
519
647
Assault incidents per 1,000 prisoners
190
193
190
193
182
169
180
168
174
190
Male establishments
186
189
188
192
183
170
180
169
176
191
Female establishments
244
261
230
205
165
154
167
133
133
166
Serious assaults
1,372
1,404
1,485
1,491
1,317
1,385
1,374
1,255
1,588
2,145
Male establishments
1,306
1,344
1,435
1,448
1,281
1,341
1,327
1,227
1,554
2,103
Female establishments
66
60
50
43
36
44
47
28
34
42
Assaults on Staff
3,502
3,530
3,279
3,219
3,080
2,848
3,132
2,987
3,266
3,637
Male establishments
3,067
3,006
2,869
2,867
2,828
2,629
2,901
2,801
3,102
3,434
Female establishments
435
524
410
352
252
219
231
186
164
203
Assault on staff per 1,000 prisoners
46
45
41
39
37
34
36
34
39
4
Male establishments
43
41
38
37
36
33
35
34
39
4
Female establishments
97
118
94
80
59
52
55
45
42
52
Serious assaults on staff
299
279
285
284
269
302
273
260
359
477
Male establishments
277
254
266
265
257
283
254
252
351
461
Female establishments
22
25
19
19
12
19
19
8
8
16
1. Fi
3
2
gures include incidents at NOMS operated Immigration Removal Centres
2. Gender refers to the type of establishment. Although predominantly the gender of the people involved in the assault will be the same as the type of 
establishment, in a small number of cases - typically assaults on staff - the gender may be different to the establishment type.
12 months ending
 
 
Assaults are dominated by what happens in the male prison estate, which accounts for 95% 
of the prison population.  
 
The key population factors determining the risk of involvement in assaults are:  
 
Age: Younger prisoners are more likely to assault and be victims than older 
prisoners;8 
 
Time in custody: After the initial induction period, a disproportionate amount of 
assaults occurs in the early stages of custody. 9 
                                                 
8 Safety in Custody: Assaults table 3.3 
 
- 18 -

3.1 All Assaults  
There were 16,196 recorded assault incidents in 2014 equivalent to a rate of 190 assaults 
per 1,000 prisoners, up from 14,664 and 174 per 1000 prisoners in 2013.  
 
There are differing trends between different age groups (figure 8). The increase in assaults 
primarily occurs amongst adult (those aged 21 and over) prisoners which has consistently 
increased since 2010. In 2014, there were 11,712 assaults involving only adults, an increase 
of 3,664 incidents since 2010.  In addition to an element of improved reporting, there has 
also been an increase in the numbers within this cohort of the prison population.  
 
Assault incidents where the youngest person involved was aged between 18 and 20 years 
old has remained broadly unchanged at around 3,000 incidents a year over the last 10 
years. The number of assaults involving 15 to 17 year olds has fallen by over 50% from its 
peak in 2009 to 1,479 assault incidents in 2014. This fall in the 15 to 17 year old age group 
has been driven by the fall in the number of 15 to 17 year olds held in prison custody, and 
does not present any evidence in itself of this age group becoming less violent. 
                                                                                                                                                        
9 Safety in Custody: Assaults table 3.4 www.gov.uk/government/collections/safety-in-custody-statistics 
 
- 19 -

Figure 8: Number of assault incidents by age group of youngest prisoner involved in 
incident  
0
2000
4000
6000
8000
10000
12000
14000
Dec 05 Dec 06 Dec 07 Dec 08 Dec 09 Dec 10 Dec 11 Dec 12 Dec 13 Dec 14
Number of incidents
Young Person (15 to 17 year old)
Young Adult (18 to 20 year old)
Adult (aged 21 and over)
 
 
 
 
 
- 20 -

Comparisons between the male and female estate 
 
The rate of assaults for male prisoners increased in 2014 to 191 assaults per 1,000 
prisoners, compared with 176 assaults per 1,000 male prisoners in 2013. The increase has 
come after a period of falling trend which saw the rate of assaults falling from 192 assaults 
per 1,000 male prisoners in 2008 to 176 assaults per 1,000 male prisoners in 2013.  
 
In the female estate, there were 166 assaults per 1,000 female prisoners in 2014, up from 
133 assaults per 1,000 female prisoners in 2013. This increase has come after a period of 
falling trend. The rate of assaults in the female estate fell from a peak of 261 assaults per 
1,000 female prisoners in 2006 to 133 assaults per 1,000 female prisoners in the 2013 – 
almost halving the rate of assaults in female establishments over the period. 
 
Figure 9: Total assaults per 1,000 prisoners by gender, England and Wales  
(rolling 12 months by quarter) 
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
Dec 03
Jun 04
Dec 04
Jun 05
Dec 05
Jun 06
Dec 06
Jun 07
Dec 07
Jun 08
Dec 08
Jun 09
Dec 09
Jun 10
Dec 10
Jun 11
Dec 11
Jun 12
Dec 12
Jun 13
Dec 13
Jun 14
Dec 14
12 months to
Assaults per 1,000 prisoners
Male Establishments
Female Establishments
 
 
 
Serious assaults10 increased in 2014 to 2,145 incidents from 1,588 incidents in the 
previous year – an increase of 35%. As with all incidents, there is volatility in the time series 
of serious assault incidents, although there has been a general quarter on quarter upward 
trend for the last 8 reporting periods (figure 10).  
                                                 
10 For the definition of serious assaults see the Guide to Safety in Custody Statistics. 
www.gov.uk/government/collections/safety-in-custody-statistics  
 
- 21 -

Figure 10: Serious assaults by quarter (rolling 12 month totals), England and Wales 
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
Dec 03
Jun 04
Dec 04
Jun 05
Dec 05
Jun 06
Dec 06
Jun 07
Dec 07
Jun 08
Dec 08
Jun 09
Dec 09
Jun 10
Dec 10
Jun 11
Dec 11
Jun 12
Dec 12
Jun 13
Dec 13
Jun 14
Dec 14
12 months to
Number of Serious Assaults
 
3.2 Assaults on staff 
There were 3,637 assaults on staff in 2014 at a rate of 43 assaults per 1,000 prisoners. This 
is an increase of 371 (11%) assaults on 2013,  
 
Figure 11: Total assaults on staff per 1,000 prisoners by gender, England and Wales 
(rolling 12 months by quarter) 
0
50
100
150
Dec 03
Jun 04
Dec 04
Jun 05
Dec 05
Jun 06
Dec 06
Jun 07
Dec 07
Jun 08
Dec 08
Jun 09
Dec 09
Jun 10
Dec 10
Jun 11
Dec 11
Jun 12
Dec 12
Jun 13
Dec 13
Jun 14
Dec 14
12 months to
Assaults per 1,000 prisoners
Assaults on staff (Male Establishments)
Assaults on staff (Female Establishments)
 
 
There were 477 serious assaults on staff in 2014 – an increase of 118 incidents (33%) on 
the previous year.  
 
 
- 22 -

Figure 12: Number of serious assaults on staff, England and Wales  
(rolling 12 months by quarter), 
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
Dec 03
Jun 04
Dec 04
Jun 05
Dec 05
Jun 06
Dec 06
Jun 07
Dec 07
Jun 08
Dec 08
Jun 09
Dec 09
Jun 10
Dec 10
Jun 11
Dec 11
Jun 12
Dec 12
Jun 13
Dec 13
Jun 14
Dec 14
12 months to
Number of Serious Assaults on staff
 
 
 
 
 
- 23 -

 
References 
 
HM Inspectorate of Prisons 
 
Prison and YOI inspections (www.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmiprisons/inspections/) 
 
Independent Advisory Panel (IAP) on Deaths in Custody 
 
Deaths in state custody (http://iapdeathsincustody.independent.gov.uk/) 
 
Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) 
 
Deaths in Custody Study (www.ipcc.gov.uk/en/Pages/deathscustodystudy.aspx) 
 
Deaths following police contact (www.ipcc.gov.uk/en/Pages/reports_polcustody.aspx) 
 
Prisons and Probation Ombudsman (PPO) 
 
Fatal Incident reports (www.ppo.gov.uk/document/fii-report/) 
 
Annual reports (www.ppo.gov.uk/document/annual-reports/) 
 
World Health Organisation (WHO) International Classification of Diseases (ICD) 
 
ICD 10 (http://apps.who.int/classifications/icd10/browse/2010/en) 
 
Ministry of Justice/NOMS 
 
Prison and Probation Statistics (www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-
justice/about/statistics) 
 
Prison Service Orders (www.justice.gov.uk/offenders/psos) 
 
Prison Service Instructions (www.justice.gov.uk/offenders/psis) 
 
 
 
 
- 24 -

List of tables and figures 
 
This is a list of quarterly and annual Safety in Custody Statistics tables and figures.  Tables 1 
to 4 and figures 1 to 4 are included in this publication.  The remaining tables are available 
from the website11.  All tables refer to incidents in prison custody in England and Wales.  
 
 
Table description 
Period 
 
 
 
 
Safety in Custody – Summary tables 
 
Table 1 
Safety in custody summary statistics 
Jan 05 – Mar 15 
Table 2 
Deaths in custody summary statistics 
Apr 05 – Mar 15 
Table 3 
Self-harm summary statistics 
Jan 05 – Dec 14 
Table 4 
Assaults summary statistics 
Jan 05 – Sep 14 
Table 5 
Deaths in prison custody by apparent cause by quarter  
Jan 00 – Mar 15 
Table 6 
Self-harm incidents by quarter 
Jan 04 – Dec 14 
Table 7 
Assault incidents by quarter 
Jan 03 – Dec 14 
 
 
 
 
Safety in Custody – Figures 
 
Figure 1 
Number of deaths in prison custody  
Dec 00 – Dec 14
Figure 2 
Deaths per 1,000 prisoners by apparent cause  
Dec 00 – Dec 14
Figure 3 
Number of apparent self-inflicted deaths in prison custody  
Dec 00 – Dec 14
Figure 4 
Number of apparent natural cause deaths in prison custody  
Dec 00 – Dec 14
Figure 5 
Standardised Mortality Ratio 
Dec 04 – Dec 14
Figure 6 
Number of self-harm incidents by gender  
Jan 04 – Sep 14 
Figure 7 
Self-harm individuals per 1,000 prisoners  
Jan 04 – Sep 14 
Figure 8 
Number of assault incidents by age group of youngest prisoner  
Sep 05 – Sep 14
Figure 9 
Assaults per 1,000 prisoners – total  
Jan 03 – Sep 14 
Figure 10 
Number of serious assaults 
Jan 03 – Sep 14 
Figure 11 
Assaults per 1,000 prisoners – on staff 
Jan 03 – Sep 14 
Figure 12 
Number of serious assaults on staff 
Jan 03 – Sep 14 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Deaths tables 
 
Table 1.1 
Annual deaths in prison custody and rates by apparent cause  
1978 - 2014 
Table 1.2 
Annual deaths in prison custody by apparent cause and gender 
1978 - 2014 
Table 1.3 
Annual deaths in prison custody by apparent cause and age band 
1978 - 2014 
Table 1.4 
Annual deaths arising from incidents in prison custody but occurring 
elsewhere 
1999 - 2014 
Table 1.5 
Annual self-inflicted deaths in prison custody by gender 
1978 - 2014 
Table 1.6 
Annual self-inflicted deaths in prison custody by age 
1978 - 2014 
Table 1.7 
Annual self-inflicted deaths in prison custody by time in custody and 
current prison 
1999 - 2014 
Table 1.8 
Annual self-inflicted deaths in prison custody by type of custody 
1999 - 2014 
Table 1.9 
Annual self-inflicted deaths in prison custody by ethnicity 
1999 - 2014 
Table 1.10 Annual self-inflicted deaths in prison custody by nationality type 
1999 - 2014 
Table 1.11 Annual self-inflicted deaths in prison custody by sentence type 
1999 - 2014 
Table 1.12 Annual self-inflicted deaths in prison custody by method 
1999 - 2014 
Table 1.13 Annual self-inflicted deaths in prison custody: Ligatures used in 
hanging/self-strangulation 
1999 - 2014 
Table 1.14 Annual self-inflicted deaths in prison custody: Ligature points used in 
1999 - 2014 
                                                 
11 Safety in Custody: Assaults table 3.2 www.gov.uk/government/collections/safety-in-custody-statistics  
 
- 25 -

fatal hangings 
Table 1.15 Annual natural cause deaths in prison custody by age group 
2001 - 2014 
Table 1.16 Annual self-inflicted deaths by establishment 
1978 - 2014 
Table 1.17 Annual natural cause deaths by establishment 
1978 - 2014 
Table 1.18 Annual deaths by establishment 
1978 - 2014 
Table 1.19 Dates of opening/closing and major re-roles of prisons 
2001 - 2014 
 
 
 
 
Self-harm tables 
 
Table 2.1 
Annual self-harm summary 
2004 – 2014 
Table 2.2 
Annual self-harm incidents by method 
2004 – 2014 
Table 2.3 
Annual self-harm incidents by age group 
2004 – 2014 
Table 2.4 
Annual individuals self-harming by age group 
2004 – 2014 
Table 2.5 
Annual self-harm incidents by time in current prison 
2004 – 2014 
Table 2.6 
Annual self-harm incidents by type of custody 
2004 – 2014 
Table 2.7 
Annual self-harm incidents by ethnicity 
2004 – 2014 
Table 2.8 
Annual self-harm incidents by nationality type 
2004 – 2014 
Table 2.9 
Individuals self-harming by nationality type 
2004 – 2014 
Table 2.10 Annual self-harm incidents by location 
2004 – 2014 
Table 2.11 Annual self-harm incidents by type of hospital attendances 
2004 – 2014 
Table 2.12 Annual self-harm frequency 
2004 – 2014 
Table 2.13 Annual self-harm incidents by establishment 
2004 – 2014 
Table 2.14 Dates of prisons opening/closing and major re-roles of prisons 
2001 – 2014 
 
 
 
 
Assaults tables 
 
Table 3.1 
Annual prison assault summary statistics 
2000 – 2014 
Table 3.2 
Annual assault incidents and prisoner assailants, victims and fighters 
by gender 
2000 – 2014 
Table 3.3 
Annual assault incidents and prisoner assailants, victims and fighters 
by age 
2000 – 2014 
Table 3.4 
Annual prisoner assailants, victims and fighters by time in current 
prison 
2000 – 2014 
Table 3.5 
Annual prisoner assailants, victims and fighters by type of custody 
2000 – 2014 
Table 3.6 
Annual prisoner assailants, victims and fighters by ethnicity 
2000 – 2014 
Table 3.7 
Annual prisoner assailants, victims and fighters by nationality type 
2000 – 2014 
Table 3.8 
Annual assault incidents by assailant / victim type 
2000 – 2014 
Table 3.9 
Annual sexual assault incidents by assailant / victim type 
2000 – 2014 
Table 3.10 Annual assault incidents involving weapons 
2000 – 2014 
Table 3.11 Annual assaults on staff 
2000 – 2014 
Table 3.12 Annual assault incidents by type of injury 
2000 – 2014 
Table 3.13 Annual assault related hospital attendances / treatment for 
concussion/internal injuries 
2000 – 2014 
Table 3.14 Annual assaults by establishment 
2000 – 2014 
Table 3.15 Annual assaults on staff and on prison officers by establishment 
2000 – 2014 
Table 3.16 Annual prisoner on prisoner assaults by establishment 
2000 – 2014 
Table 3.17 Dates of prisons opening/closing and major re-roles of prisons 
2001 – 2014 
 
- 26 -

Data Sources and Data Quality  
 
The data presented in this publication are drawn the NOMS Deaths in Custody Database 
and NOMS Incident Reporting System.  
 
Information relating to deaths in prison custody is closely scrutinised and the data is 
considered to be of high quality. Classifications of deaths however, are not finalised until 
after inquest. As inquests may not be concluded until some years after a death, tables 
dependent on classifications should be treated as provisional. Changes do not generally 
affect reported trends. 
 
Although care is taken when processing and analysing the returns, the information collected 
is subject to the inaccuracies inherent in any large-scale recording system. 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 shown in the tables. Where figures in 
the tables have been rounded to the nearest whole number, the rounded components do not 
always add to the totals, which are calculated and rounded independently.   
 
Self-harm and assault incidents in custody are more likely to be detected and counted than 
those occurring in the community. However, some incidents in custody will remain 
undetected and therefore go unreported.  
 
For a more detailed discussion about data sources and data quality see the ‘Guide to Safety 
in Custody Statistics’12  
 
 
Explanatory notes  
 
The statistics in this bulletin relate to deaths, self-harm and assaults in prison custody in 
England and Wales.   
 
Symbols and conventions  
The following symbols have been used throughout the tables in this bulletin:  
 
..  
not available  
0  
nil or less than half the final digit shown 
-  
not applicable  
(p)  Provisional data  
(r)  Revised data  
 
                                                 
12 Guide to Safety in Custody Statistics which can be found at www.gov.uk/government/collections/safety-in-
custody-statistics  
 
 
- 27 -

 
- 28 -
Contact points  
 
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:  
 
Sandy Rass 
Planning and Analysis Group  
NOMS Agency  
Clive House  
70 Petty France 
London  
SW1H 9EX  
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 
 
 
Ministry of Justice publishes data relating to offender management in England and Wales. 
Equivalent statistics for Scotland and Northern Ireland can be found at:  
www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Crime-Justice 
www.sps.gov.uk/FreedomofInformation/PrisonerDeaths.aspx 
www.dojni.gov.uk/index/statistics-research/stats-research-publications.htm 
 
 
Alternative formats are available on request from xxx@xxx.xx 
© Crown copyright. Produced by the Ministry of Justice.