Prison suicide rates 'alarmingly high'

11 people died at prisons across South Yorkshire last year, with one of them recorded as suicide.

Published 29th Jan 2016

11 people died at prisons across South Yorkshire last year, with one of them recorded as suicide.

For the whole of Yorkshire in 2015 there were 29 deaths with a third described as 'self-inflicted'.

Charity The Howard League for Penal Reform say that suicide rates behind bars are "alarmingly high"

A Prison Service spokesperson said:

"We take our duty of care to prisoners extremely seriously. Staff provide support to prisoners at risk of self-harm and suicide every day, and work closely with health providers to ensure that prisoners receive appropriate healthcare.

"All deaths in custody are fully investigated by the independent Prisons and Probation Ombudsman and subject to a Coroner's inquest."