Tag: Howard League Penal Reform

Prison suicide rate linked to mental illness and neglect

10:25 Thursday 22nd January 2015
BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

PAUL STAINTON: Some worrying statistics out today about deaths of prison inmates – one third of all deaths in prison last year were a result of inmates taking their own lives. This is according to figures from the Howard League for Penal Reform. The suicide rate in UK prisons is at its worst for the last seven years. So we’re asking this morning, are prisons in this country too tough? Many saying down the years that they’re not tough enough. But are we failing to provide basic mental health care to our inmates? Should we be looking to reform and help rather than punish? Would that help? Andrew Neilson is from the Howard League. He says the problem of suicide in prison is growing.
(TAPE)
ANDREW NEILSON: We’ve seen staffing resources reduced because prisons are making cuts like other public services. But at the same time the prison population is rising, and prison overcrowding is very acute. And one of the key barometers as to whether the prisons are in crisis is definitely deaths behind bars.
(LIVE)
PAUL STAINTON: Well now, in a joint effort with the Centre for Mental Health, the Howard League for Penal Reform are calling for the death toll in prisons to be ended. So should we be taking more care of the health of our patients in prison? Is it right that so many are taking their own lives? Well joining me now is Noel Smith. He’s editor of Inside Time. He’s an ex-prisoner. Morning Noel.
NOEL SMITH: Good morning.
PAUL STAINTON: And we’ve got Frances Crook, who’s the Chief Executive of the Howard League for Penal Reform. Frances we’ll get to in just a second. We’ve also got Andy Bell, who’s the Deputy Chief Executive of the Centre for Mental Health. Andy, good morning.
ANDY BELL: Good morning.
PAUL STAINTON: Good morning Frances. We’ve got you now. Good morning.
FRANCES CROOK: Hello.
PAUL STAINTON: We had a power cut earlier and it threw everything all over the shop.
FRANCES CROOK: OK.
PAUL STAINTON: We’re almost back to normal. Noel first of all is I can, from somebody that’s been inside, we spoke before about this. Are things worse now than they were ten, fifteen, twenty years ago? Continue reading “Prison suicide rate linked to mental illness and neglect”

Peterborough The Self-Harm Capital Of The Prison Estate

07:07 Friday 26th April 2013
Bigger Breakfast Show
BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

[P]AUL STAINTON: Peterborough Prison had the highest amount of self-harm incidents in the whole of the UK in 2012. More than 1200 incidents were recorded last year. That’s more than 400 more than the next worst prison, Foston Hall In Derby. 24 self-harm incidents were recorded every week at the prison last year. Now Andrew Nielson Director of Campaigns at the Howard League For Penal Reform, which is a charity working for less crime, safer communities, and fewer people in prison, he’s with us this morning. Andrew, morning.
ANDREW NIELSON: Morning.
PAUL STAINTON: First of all I suppose, your reaction to these figures.
ANDREW NIELSON: Shocking obviously that Peterborough tops the table. There is some positive news in that the national figure of self-harm incidents in prisons has gone slightly down. But why Peterborough is top? I think they ke point, and I think it actually relates to another story you’ve got today about the Dawn Project, working with women, is that Peterborough holds both men and women. And while self-harm in custody is a problem found across the board, there’s absolutely no doubt that it’s the biggest problem with women in prison. Continue reading “Peterborough The Self-Harm Capital Of The Prison Estate”