Attacks on prison officers and inmate deaths in England and Wales have soared to record levels, according to official figures released by the Ministry of Justice. In the 12 months to March 2025, there were 10,568 assaults on staff, a 7% increase on the previous year. The number of deaths in custody rose by nearly a third to 401 in the year to June 2025, including 86 self-inflicted deaths and a record seven homicides.
Overall assaults in prisons reached 30,846 in the year to March 2025, up 9%, with the rate of staff assaults per 1,000 prisoners rising by 7%. Self-harm incidents hit a record high of 77,898, equivalent to one every seven minutes, with rates increasing by 5% in men's prisons and 6% in women's prisons. Annual performance ratings showed 22 prisons – nearly 19% – were deemed to raise serious concern, the highest number since the system began.
Andrew Neilson, director of campaigns at the Howard League for Penal Reform, urged government intervention: 'Prisons cannot go on like this. It is unconscionable to see the huge rise in deaths in custody, as well as continued spikes in self-harm and in assaults.' The government has announced plans to use artificial intelligence to predict and prevent violence, including scanning confiscated phones for codewords related to drug dealing and threats.
Ministers last week announced a trial of Tasers for staff in male prisons to clamp down on violence, with over £20 million paid out in damages over five years to assaulted staff and prisoners. Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood was also urged to intervene at Oakhill secure training centre in Milton Keynes, where inspectors found 'profound and systemic failures' and a 'serious risk of harm to children'.
