Safety and order
Prisons need to be and feel safe for both staff and prisoners. Violent incidents are the most obvious issue, but this is also about wider culture and atmosphere of the prison and the support it provides to vulnerable prisoners.
Audits and inspections are reported on a 4-point scale,from 1 (lowest rating) to 4 (highest rating).
Visit prisons and probation statistics for data sources and more details.
Prisoner on prisoner assaults per 1,000 prisoners
Assaults in prison custody cover a wide range of violent incidents including fights between prisoners.
From time to time, events in prison custody and developments within and outside the Ministry of Justice have changed the 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.
| Period | Prisoner on prisoner assaults per 1,000 prisoners |
|---|---|
| Apr 2003 to Mar 2004 | 123 |
| Apr 2004 to Mar 2005 | 131 |
| Apr 2005 to Mar 2006 | 146 |
| Apr 2006 to Mar 2007 | 144 |
| Apr 2007 to Mar 2008 | 154 |
| Apr 2008 to Mar 2009 | 153 |
| Apr 2009 to Mar 2010 | 142 |
| Apr 2010 to Mar 2011 | 134 |
| Apr 2011 to Mar 2012 | 134 |
| Apr 2012 to Mar 2013 | 135 |
| Apr 2013 to Mar 2014 | 147 |
| Apr 2014 to Mar 2015 | 181 |
| Apr 2015 to Mar 2016 | 224 |
| Apr 2016 to Mar 2017 | 248 |
| Apr 2017 to Mar 2018 | 281 |
| Apr 2018 to Mar 2019 | 261 |
| Apr 2019 to Mar 2020 | 163 |
| Apr 2020 to Mar 2021 | 159 |
| Apr 2021 to Mar 2022 | 174 |
Apr 2021 to Mar 2022
174
Dec-2022
In the 12 months to Dec 2022 there were 174 prisoner on prisoner assaults per 1,000 prisoners.
Data source
Safety in custody statistics (quarterly)
Published: 27 April 2023. Next publication: 27 July 2023 9:30am.
Assaults on staff per 1,000 prisoners
Assaults in prison custody cover a wide range of violent incidents including attacks on staff.
From time to time, events in prison custody and developments within and outside Ministry of Justice 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.
| Period | Assaults on staff per 1,000 prisoners |
|---|---|
| Apr 2003 to Mar 2004 | 38 |
| Apr 2004 to Mar 2005 | 42 |
| Apr 2005 to Mar 2006 | 45 |
| Apr 2006 to Mar 2007 | 43 |
| Apr 2007 to Mar 2008 | 40 |
| Apr 2008 to Mar 2009 | 39 |
| Apr 2009 to Mar 2010 | 36 |
| Apr 2010 to Mar 2011 | 34 |
| Apr 2011 to Mar 2012 | 34 |
| Apr 2012 to Mar 2013 | 39 |
| Apr 2013 to Mar 2014 | 43 |
| Apr 2014 to Mar 2015 | 58 |
| Apr 2015 to Mar 2016 | 80 |
| Apr 2016 to Mar 2017 | 98 |
| Apr 2017 to Mar 2018 | 118 |
| Apr 2018 to Mar 2019 | 112 |
| Apr 2019 to Mar 2020 | 94 |
| Apr 2020 to Mar 2021 | 97 |
| Apr 2021 to Mar 2022 | 90 |
Apr 2021 to Mar 2022
90
Dec-2022
In the 12 months to Dec 2022 there were 90 assaults on staff per 1,000 prisoners.
Data source
Safety in custody statistics (quarterly)
Published: 27 April 2023. Next publication: 27 July 2023 9:30am.
The MQPL survey of prisoners' perceptions is a validated way of gauging the quality of Decency and Safety, which are vital business aims but difficult to define and measure by other means.
Questionnaire scores are made more meaningful by comparing them to what might typically be expected from prisons of a similar type, but the comparison should not be judged at face value without reference to the specific context of the prison in question.
The MQPL survey is undertaken as a part of a rolling three-year programme. The data presented here shows the most recent assessment for each prison establishment
The summary percentage is based on audits published internally by HMPPS. The annual prison performance ratings publication includes audits which had not been published when it was released and were therefore suppressed from the data tables. Including these suppressed scores, the overall percentage of prisons scoring a 3 or 4 is 80.5%
Values:
- Rating 1: 7 prisons
- Rating 2: 16 prisons
- Rating 3: 85 prisons
- Rating 4: 10 prisons
Data source: Prison performance ratings (annual)
Published: 28 July 2022. Next publication: 27 July 2023 9:30am.
2021-22
An independent assessment by HMIP of the level to which prisoners, even the most vulnerable, are held safely.
HMIP inspections are undertaken about once every three years. The data presented here shows the most recent assessment for each prison establishment.
Values:
- 1 - poor: 11 prisons
- 2 - not sufficiently good: 46 prisons
- 3 - reasonably good: 32 prisons
- 4 - good: 32 prisons
Data source: Prison performance ratings (annual)
Published: 28 July 2022. Next publication: 27 July 2023 9:30am.
2021-22
Internal audit of recording of reportable incidents on the incident reporting system (IRS).
The IRS data quality audit is carried out approximately annually. The data presented here shows the most recent assessment for each prison establishment.
The annual prison performance ratings publication includes audits which had not been published when it was released and were therefore suppressed from the data tables. Including these suppressed scores, the overall percentage of prisons scoring a 3 or 4 is 79.5%.
Values:
- Rating 1: 0 prisons
- Rating 2: 24 prisons
- Rating 3: 48 prisons
- Rating 4: 45 prisons
Data source: Prison performance ratings (annual)
Published: 28 July 2022. Next publication: 27 July 2023 9:30am.
2021-22
Assaults subset of the internal audit of recording of reportable incidents on the incident reporting system (IRS).
Values:
- Did not achieve target: 5 prisons
- Achieved target: 79 prisons
Data source: Prison performance ratings (annual)
Published: 28 July 2022. Next publication: 27 July 2023 9:30am.
2021-22
Self-harm subset of the internal audit of recording of reportable incidents on the incident reporting system (IRS).
Values:
- Did not achieve target: 11 prisons
- Achieved target: 71 prisons
Data source: Prison performance ratings (annual)
Published: 28 July 2022. Next publication: 27 July 2023 9:30am.
2021-22
Self-harm incidents per 1,000 prisoners
Self-harm in prison covers a wide range of severity and type of incident, including cutting, overdose or hanging.
| Period | Self-harm incidents per 1,000 prisoners |
|---|---|
| Apr 2007 to Mar 2008 | 278 |
| Apr 2008 to Mar 2009 | 312 |
| Apr 2009 to Mar 2010 | 297 |
| Apr 2010 to Mar 2011 | 310 |
| Apr 2011 to Mar 2012 | 267 |
| Apr 2012 to Mar 2013 | 276 |
| Apr 2013 to Mar 2014 | 303 |
| Apr 2014 to Mar 2015 | 377 |
| Apr 2015 to Mar 2016 | 471 |
| Apr 2016 to Mar 2017 | 521 |
| Apr 2017 to Mar 2018 | 668 |
| Apr 2018 to Mar 2019 | 762 |
| Apr 2019 to Mar 2020 | 688 |
| Apr 2020 to Mar 2021 | 685 |
| Apr 2021 to Mar 2022 | 687 |
Apr 2021 to Mar 2022
687
Dec-2022
In the 12 months to Dec 2022 there were 687 self-harm incidents per 1,000 prisoners.
Data source
Safety in custody statistics (quarterly)
Published: 27 April 2023. Next publication: 27 July 2023 9:30am.
Self inflicted deaths
The number of self inflicted deaths in prisons.
| Period | Self inflicted deaths |
|---|---|
| Apr 2010 to Mar 2011 | 54 |
| Apr 2011 to Mar 2012 | 67 |
| Apr 2012 to Mar 2013 | 52 |
| Apr 2013 to Mar 2014 | 90 |
| Apr 2014 to Mar 2015 | 79 |
| Apr 2015 to Mar 2016 | 103 |
| Apr 2016 to Mar 2017 | 116 |
| Apr 2017 to Mar 2018 | 74 |
| Apr 2018 to Mar 2019 | 88 |
| Apr 2019 to Mar 2020 | 83 |
| Apr 2020 to Mar 2021 | 80 |
| Apr 2021 to Mar 2022 | 79 |
| Apr 2022 to Mar 2023 | 82 |
Apr 2022 to Mar 2023
82
Mar-2023
In the 12 months to Mar 2023 there were 82 self-inflicted deaths.
Data source
Safety in custody statistics (quarterly)
Published: 27 April 2023. Next publication: 27 July 2023 9:30am.
Barricades or prevention of access
The number of incidents where where one or more offenders deny access to all or part of a prison to those lawfully empowered to have such access, by use of a physical barrier.
| Period | Barricades or prevention of access |
|---|---|
| Apr 2007 to Mar 2008 | 521 |
| Apr 2008 to Mar 2009 | 524 |
| Apr 2009 to Mar 2010 | 446 |
| Apr 2010 to Mar 2011 | 430 |
| Apr 2011 to Mar 2012 | 554 |
| Apr 2012 to Mar 2013 | 475 |
| Apr 2013 to Mar 2014 | 669 |
| Apr 2014 to Mar 2015 | 929 |
| Apr 2015 to Mar 2016 | 1,229 |
| Apr 2016 to Mar 2017 | 1,320 |
| Apr 2017 to Mar 2018 | 1,406 |
| Apr 2018 to Mar 2019 | 1,737 |
| Apr 2019 to Mar 2020 | 1,882 |
| Apr 2020 to Mar 2021 | 1,217 |
| Apr 2021 to Mar 2022 | 1,273 |
Apr 2021 to Mar 2022
1,273
Data source
HM Prison and Probation Service annual digest
Published: 28 July 2022.
Hostage incidents
The number of incidents where one or more persons are, unlawfully, held against their will by one or more individuals (either static or on the move), including hostage incidents where collusion was suspected or confirmed.
| Period | Hostage incidents |
|---|---|
| Apr 2007 to Mar 2008 | 38 |
| Apr 2008 to Mar 2009 | 25 |
| Apr 2009 to Mar 2010 | 19 |
| Apr 2010 to Mar 2011 | 20 |
| Apr 2011 to Mar 2012 | 50 |
| Apr 2012 to Mar 2013 | 54 |
| Apr 2013 to Mar 2014 | 91 |
| Apr 2014 to Mar 2015 | 113 |
| Apr 2015 to Mar 2016 | 129 |
| Apr 2016 to Mar 2017 | 128 |
| Apr 2017 to Mar 2018 | 127 |
| Apr 2018 to Mar 2019 | 98 |
| Apr 2019 to Mar 2020 | 86 |
| Apr 2020 to Mar 2021 | 38 |
| Apr 2021 to Mar 2022 | 39 |
Apr 2021 to Mar 2022
39
Data source
HM Prison and Probation Service annual digest
Published: 28 July 2022.
Concerted indiscipline
The number of incidents in which two or more prisoners act together in defiance of a lawful instruction or against requirements of the regime of the establishment. The act of indiscipline can be active or passive (i.e. involving aggression and violence or not) and the protagonists do not necessarily need to be acting in a common cause.
| Period | Concerted indiscipline |
|---|---|
| Apr 2007 to Mar 2008 | 118 |
| Apr 2008 to Mar 2009 | 127 |
| Apr 2009 to Mar 2010 | 98 |
| Apr 2010 to Mar 2011 | 98 |
| Apr 2011 to Mar 2012 | 117 |
| Apr 2012 to Mar 2013 | 99 |
| Apr 2013 to Mar 2014 | 151 |
| Apr 2014 to Mar 2015 | 206 |
| Apr 2015 to Mar 2016 | 276 |
| Apr 2016 to Mar 2017 | 380 |
| Apr 2017 to Mar 2018 | 339 |
| Apr 2018 to Mar 2019 | 351 |
| Apr 2019 to Mar 2020 | 267 |
| Apr 2020 to Mar 2021 | 159 |
| Apr 2021 to Mar 2022 | 138 |
Apr 2021 to Mar 2022
138
Data source
HM Prison and Probation Service annual digest
Published: 28 July 2022.
Incidents at height
The number of incidents at height in prisons. An incident at height is defined as any incident taking place at height above or below ground level. This category can come in many forms including prisoners on the netting, climbing over bars or on the roof.
| Period | Incidents at height |
|---|---|
| Apr 2012 to Mar 2013 | 738 |
| Apr 2013 to Mar 2014 | 1,281 |
| Apr 2014 to Mar 2015 | 1,726 |
| Apr 2015 to Mar 2016 | 2,685 |
| Apr 2016 to Mar 2017 | 3,825 |
| Apr 2017 to Mar 2018 | 4,846 |
| Apr 2018 to Mar 2019 | 5,568 |
| Apr 2019 to Mar 2020 | 6,114 |
| Apr 2020 to Mar 2021 | 4,081 |
| Apr 2021 to Mar 2022 | 4,157 |
Apr 2021 to Mar 2022
4,157
Data source
HM Prison and Probation Service annual digest
Published: 28 July 2022.
An announced audit to determine how effectively the prison is assessing and managing risks of violence and self-harm.
The risk management audit is carried out approximately every three years. The data presented here shows the most recent assessment for each prison establishment.
The summary percentage is based on audits published internally by HMPPS. The annual prison performance ratings publication includes audits which had not been published when it was released and were therefore suppressed from the data tables. Including these suppressed scores, the overall percentage of prisons scoring a 3 or 4 is 53.3%
Values:
- Rating 1: 1 prisons
- Rating 2: 35 prisons
- Rating 3: 36 prisons
- Rating 4: 5 prisons
Data source: Prison performance ratings (annual)
Published: 28 July 2022. Next publication: 27 July 2023 9:30am.
2021-22
An announced audit to determine how effectively the prison is assessing and managing risks of violence and self-harm.
The safety audit is carried out approximately every four years and does not apply to open prisons. The data presented here shows the most recent assessment for each prison establishment.
The summary percentage is based on audits published internally by HMPPS.
Values:
- Rating 1: 0 prisons
- Rating 2: 6 prisons
- Rating 3: 11 prisons
- Rating 4: 0 prisons
Data source: Prison performance ratings (annual)
Published: 28 July 2022. Next publication: 27 July 2023 9:30am.
2021-22