Assaults on staff in Welsh Prisons rises by 69% in the last year, new research shows
The Wales Governance Centre highlights a 69% rise in assaults on prison staff and a 53% increase in self-harm incidents during 2023.
Last updated 17th Oct 2024
A recent report by Cardiff University’s Wales Governance Centre has revealed a rise in violence and self-harm within Welsh prisons, with prisoner-on-prisoner assaults increasing by 80% in the last year alone.
The report also highlights a 69% rise in assaults on prison staff and a 53% increase in self-harm incidents during 2023.
The most severe increases were recorded at HMP Parc, where assaults on staff rose by 109%, self-harm incidents rose by 113%, and cases of self-harm requiring hospital treatment climbed by 190%.
Dr. Robert Jones, the author of the report, said: “This new analysis uncovers a drastic deterioration in prison safety levels across Wales, particularly at HMP Parc."
"Urgent action is needed to address these serious and growing issues. Any decision to ignore or overlook the problems or distinct policy context in Wales is no longer sustainable or defensible.”
The report also highlights san increase in deaths within Welsh prisons.
Of the 13 deaths recorded in the first six months of 2024, 12 occurred at HMP Parc.
At least four of these deaths are believed to be linked to substance misuse, raising concerns about the growing availability of drugs within the prison.
Ministry of Justice data supports these concerns, revealing a 46% increase in drug finds and a staggering 185% rise in drug-related equipment discovered at HMP Parc over the past year.
In 2023/24, the number of individuals managed by Welsh probation services who were rough sleeping following their release from prison increased by 51%, amounting to around 500 people.
On average, five individuals were released from HMP Cardiff as homeless every week.
The UK Government have been approached for a comment.