19 self-inflicted deaths within 48 hours of arriving in prison

 A watchdog’s investigation uncovered 19 cases where people suffered self-inflicted deaths within 48 hours of arriving at a reception prison.

The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman (PPO), Adrian Usher, released the data as he called on jails to pay more attention to newly-arrived prisoners. He said: “I am truly shocked and saddened by these figures.”

The PPO, who investigates every death in custody in England and Wales, reviewed 170 cases of self-inflicted deaths in reception prisons over a five-year period. As well as the 19 (11 per cent) which happened within the first two days, a further 51 (30 per cent) occurred between three days and one month after arrival.

Mr Usher concluded that during these early days after arrival there is a lack of communication between staff and new residents. He says that poor use of the suicide and self-harm prevention process, known as ACCT (Assessment, Care in Custody and Teamwork), is common, and that individual risk assessments are not carried out thoroughly, if at all. 

Other failings identified by the PPO included poor management of court appearances, and underestimation of the impact of these on the mental well-being of those attending, whether in person or by video link.

Key worker schemes are vital, the PPO reports, but are too often lacking. Mr Usher calls for accredited staff training, saying: “This must be repeated regularly to ensure staff for this prison group have been properly trained. Staff must have appropriate skills to identify and support those at high risk.”

He added that 77 per cent of the individuals who died had mental health issues, warning: “It is evident that prisons should have robust early day processes to account for this crucial period