The MOJ have recently published official statistics showing there has been an 37% increase in prison custody deaths between March 2024 and March 2025, jumping from 291 deaths to 399.

The bulletin from the Ministry of Justice notes that 91 of the deaths in the last year were self-inflicted, with the report also highlighting that the rate of self-harm between December 2023 and December 2024 has increased by 10%.

In their policy paper, the Centre for Mental Health and the Prison Advice and Care Trust (Pact) argue that community mental health services ought to receive some of the £9 billion in funding that the Government has recently allocated for the building of new prisons. They argue that the current prison environment exacerbates poor mental health and hinders prisoners’ rehabilitation, ultimately leading to re-offending. Poor mental health is “the norm, not the exception” in prisons, and recent data shows that, among prisoners, 56% of men and 74% of women report having mental health problems.

Raising further alarm, the MOJ bulletin also revealed that 7 people died following homicide in the past 12 months, compared with 0 in the 12 months prior. The rates of assaults in Prison increased 11%, and the rates of serious assaults has increased by 10%.

In their article reporting on this issue, the charity INQUEST have commented that this is further evidence of prison’s being “in crisis and unable to meet the basic needs of people within its walls.”

Deborah Coles, the Director for the organisation has commented “These figures are yet another devastating indictment of the appalling state of the prison system, and the destructive social harms prison regimes generate for people inside”.

INQUEST have argued that there is an “over-reliance on punishment to deal with social issues”, and that radical change is needed to prevent further deaths. They have called for sentence policy changes, reduction in prison population, and greater investment in community support and services.

Farleys’ inquest team are experienced in representing families of loved ones who have died whilst in prison custody. Most recently, Kelly Darlington was instructed on behalf of the family of Steven Hart, who died at HMP Beford.  The inquest revealed numerous failings by the prison, including failing to carry out proper mental health assessments, share relevant concerns between staff, and a failure by prison staff to report earlier attempts. You can read more about this inquest here.

To speak to one of our inquest specialists, please call 0845 287 0939, get in touch by email, or use the online chat below.