Suicide rate among released prisoners is rocketing
Calls for greater scrutiny after deaths increased sixfold since 2010
The number of people who have committed suicide while on supervision after being released from jail in the UK has increased sixfold since 2010 to a rate of one every two days.
According to analysis of Ministry of Justice data, published by The Guardian, there were 153 self-inflicted deaths among those on post-custody supervision in 2018-19, compared with 24 in 2010-11.
The charity Inquest says that there is a stark difference between the suicide rate among people leaving prison, and among those serving community orders and suspended sentence orders, who have not been jailed.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
In 2018-19, the former rate was 212 per 100,000, while in the second category the rate falls to 132 per 100,000. The rate among the general population is about 14 per 100,000.
A report from Inquest’s head of policy, Rebecca Roberts, and Jake Phillips of Sheffield Hallam University concluded that any deaths of people on post-custody supervision should be probed by an independent body.
Although the prisons ombudsman opened investigations into 334 deaths in 2018-19, it explored just 12 cases of residents in probation-approved premises.
Inquest’s executive director, Deborah Coles, says the data is “deeply disturbing and requires urgent scrutiny”.
She added: “What is clear however is that people are being released into failing support systems, poverty, homelessness and an absence of services for mental health and addictions. This is state abandonment.”
Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service and the National Probation Service have agreed to perform an in-depth overall review of the deaths of people under post-sentence supervision.
Earlier this year, it was revealed that levels of assaults in prison had risen to record highs, despite programmes of investment focused on reducing violence and increasing security.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise, refreshing and balanced take on the week’s news agenda - try The Week magazine. Start your trial today–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
'Making a police state out of the liberal university'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
8 looming climate tipping points that imperil our planet
The Explainer New reports detail the thresholds we may be close to crossing
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
Try 6 free issues of The Week Junior
Spark your child's curiosity with The Week Junior - the award-winning current affairs magazine for 8-14s.
By The Week Published
-
Armed gangs, prison breaks and on-air hostages: how Ecuador was plunged into crisis
The Explainer Gangs launch deadly revenge after president declares state of emergency following escape of feared drug boss from prison
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
The most famous prison breaks of all time
The Explainer Many people have escaped from behind bars over the decades
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Daniel Khalife escape: how secure are UK prisons?
Today's Big Question MPs and experts blame austerity cuts for chronic understaffing, overcrowding and inexperienced guards
By Harriet Marsden Published
-
Daniel Abed Khalife: how did terror suspect escape from Wandsworth prison?
Today's Big Question ‘Gob-smacking’ events raise urgent questions about state of UK’s criminal justice system
By Julia O'Driscoll Published
-
Canada ‘poison seller’ linked to 88 deaths in the UK
Speed Read Father whose son took his own life has criticised police inaction despite ‘clear warning signs’
By Chas Newkey-Burden Published
-
Andrew Malkinson: why cleared inmates have to pay back prisons from compensation
feature Cost of ‘bed and board’ in jail may be deducted from payouts for wrongful imprisonments
By Keumars Afifi-Sabet Published
-
Colin Pitchfork: justice secretary attempts to halt killer’s release
Speed Read The double child-murderer has been in and out of prison following a series of parole decisions
By Rebekah Evans Published
-
Brit found hanged in Doha hotel ‘tortured by Qatar police’
Speed Read Qatar authorities recorded Marc Bennett’s death as suicide but British coroner found no evidence of suicidal intent
By The Week Staff Published