INCREASE IN SELF-HARM AMONGST MALE PRISONERS

That this House is alarmed by the stark increase in the number of male inmates self-harming in prisons across England and Wales since 2010; notes that in 2013 there were 23,183 incidents of self-harm amongst male and female prisoners across the prison estate with 17,213 of those incidents involving male prisoners; is concerned that since 2004, incidents of self-harm among male prisoners across the prison estate have increased steadily year on year, with an increase of almost 3000 reported incidents in 2013 compared to the figure of 14,436 in 2010; is further concerned that the Government refuses to acknowledge the growing problem of self-harm among male prisoners across the prison estate; further notes that with an increased prison population and fewer trained staff more incidents are likely to lead to serious injury or suicide; and calls on the Government to review the current situation in the prison estate in England and Wales and open serious talks with staff, governors and trades unions to resolve this worrying issue and ensure that prisons are properly staffed so inmates can receive the support they need.