On 30 October 2025, the Ministry of Justice published the Safety in Custody Statistics, England and Wales: Deaths in Prison Custody to September 2025 Assaults and Self-harm to June 2025.
In the 12 months to September 2025, there has been a 30% increase in the number of deaths in prison custody, from 317 to 411. There were 96 self-inflicted deaths in the latest year, an increase from 88 in the previous year.
Safety in custody statistics cover deaths, self-harm and assaults in prison custody in England and Wales, with figures presented on a 12-month rolling basis over an 11-year time series. This is the highest number of deaths in custody since records began in 2000.
The statistics highlight:
Number of deaths increased from the previous 12-month period
In the 12 months to September 2025, there were 411 deaths in prison custody, an increase of 30% from 317 deaths in the previous 12 months. Of these, 96 deaths were self-inflicted, an increase of 9% from the 88 self-inflicted deaths in the previous 12 months.
The rate of self-harm increased in male establishments and decreased in female establishments from the previous 12-month period
In the 12 months to June 2025, the rate of self-harm was 878 incidents per 1,000 prisoners (76,148 incidents), remaining steady (0.3% increase) from the 12 months to June 2024, with a 1.4% increase in male establishments and a 1.3% decrease in female establishments.
The rate of individuals who self-harmed increased from the previous 12-month period
In the 12 months to June 2025, the rate of individuals who self-harmed was 158 individuals per 1,000 prisoners (13,713 individuals), up 1.4% from a rate of 156 in the previous 12 months. The number of self-harm incidents per individual remained at 5.6 in the 12 months to June 2025.
Farleys’ Inquest Specialists
Here at Farleys, we have extensive experience of representing bereaved families at the inquest into the death of their loved ones, with specialist experience of inquests following a death in prison custody. We appreciate how difficult and unfamiliar inquest proceedings can be, and we can guide you through the process. You can read about some of our recent inquest conclusions here.
Often legal aid funding will be available for families when the death relates to an unnatural death in prison.
If you require representation at an inquest following a death in prison or advice after an injury in prison, please contact Farleys Solicitors on 0845 287 0939 or send your enquiry by email and a member of the team will contact you.
