Prisons data
The government is reforming the way prisons work in order to improve how they protect the public, keep staff and prisoners safe, and turn from crime. To do this we are holding prison governors to account for improvements in the following areas:
- protecting the public;
- maintaining safety and order;
- reforming offenders to prevent more crimes from being committed; and
- preparing prisoners for life outside the prison.
Prisons overview
Prison population
Prison population by sex
Prison population by age
At 30 Jun 2023 (source).
To protect the public, prisons must hold prisoners securely. This not only prevents further offences being committed, but is an important foundation for the wider work of prisons in reforming offenders.
Escapes from prison establishments and escorts
8
Value for 2022-23. View time series for escapes from prison establishments and escorts
Prisons achieve rating 3 or 4 in security audit
80.3%
Value for Rating 4. View breakdown for security audit
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.
Prisoner on prisoner assaults per 1,000 prisoners
185
Value for 2022-23. View time series for prisoner on prisoner assaults per 1,000 prisoners
Assaults on staff per 1,000 prisoners
92
Value for 2022-23. View time series for assaults on staff per 1,000 prisoners
Self-harm incidents per 1,000 prisoners
733
Value for 2022-23. View time series for self-harm incidents per 1,000 prisoners
Barricade or prevention of access incidents
1,372
Value for 2022-23. View time series for barricades or prevention of access
Prisons achieve rating 3 or 4 in risk management audit
53.2%
Value for Rating 4. View breakdown for risk management audit
To reform offenders, we need to be sure they are being given the right services and opportunities across the different areas we know support rehabilitation and help prevent a return to crime.
These include improving prisoners’ mental health and tackling substance misuse, improving prisoners' progress in English and maths and increasing the numbers of offenders in employment and accommodation after release.
Positive random mandatory drug tests (traditional)
10.5 %
Value for 2019-20. View time series for random mandatory drug testing (traditional drugs)
Positive random mandatory drug tests for new psychoactive substances
4.3 %
Value for 2019-20. View time series for random mandatory drug testing - new psychoactive substances only
Prisoners completing treatment free from dependence
35.5%
Value for 2022-23. View time series for prisoners completing treatment free from dependence
Average prisoners working in prisons
12,500
Value for 2019-20. View time series for average prisoners working in prisons
Prisoner hours worked in industry (millions)
17.4
Value for 2019-20. View time series for prisoner hours worked in industry
Prisons need to support offenders to prepare for their release, working together with probation and with other services that support the transition through the gate.
Prisons achieve target for accommodation on the first night following release
17.3%
Value for Achieved target. View breakdown for accommodation on the first night following release
Prisons achieve target for employment at six weeks following release
4.0%
Value for Achieved target. View breakdown for employment at six weeks following release
Stock and flow statistics relating to offenders who are in prison.
Prison population - life sentence
7,202
Value for 30-Jun-2023. View time series for prison population - life sentence
Prison population - remand
15,523
Value for 30-Jun-2023. View time series for prison population - remand
Prison first receptions (quarterly)
19,028
Value for Jul-Sep 2023. View time series for prison first receptions (quarterly)
Prison releases (quarterly)
12,237
Value for Jul-Sep 2023. View time series for prison releases (quarterly)
Individuals released on temporary licence
4,520
Value for Jul-Sep 2023. View time series for individuals released on temporary licence
Prison operational capacity
86,859
Value for Jun 2023. View time series for prison operational capacity
Additional information on the safe, decent and secure running of the prison service.
Prisons with a performance rating of "acceptable"
63.0%
Value for 1 - Performance of serious concern. View breakdown for annual prison performance ratings
Prison staff in post
22,288
Value for March 2023. View time series for prison staff in post (bands 3-5)
Average working days lost to sickness
14.1 days
Value for 2022-23. View time series for staff sickness (prisons)