Prison staff fake checks on suicidal inmates as deaths soar, watchdog warns
A prison observer warned that the records claiming that checks were made on suicide prisoners on “widespread distortion”.
A report from Prisons and Probation Ombudsman (PPO) found evidence that prison staff had lied on compulsory welfare controls for prisoners who are at risk of self -harm.
The prisoner deaths rose by 35 percent per year, and in 2024/2025, the Ombudsman 486 deaths by self -harm.
This includes 106 increase in 393 prisons compared to the previous year and 73 deaths within 14 days after being released from detention.
In the report, there was an increase of 15 percent in complaints from prisoners because the excessive crowds put the system under the system “tension”.
Um I’m worried about the increase in the complaints and deaths we see, and we work closely with remit services to understand what causes may be, ”he said.
The Ombudsman’s report said that the prison population is aging thanks to a significant increase in longer imprisonment and historical sexual criminal convictions.
The report also identified systemic problems around the records of detention and teamwork follow -up, particularly under risk, which are subject to evaluation.
After CCTV’s control of prison controls, income proved that prison staff lies to perform welfare controls on a deceased prisoner.
“This year, this year, we have been disappointed to determine the widespread distortion of records in relation to the routine controls that serve as an opportunity to control and monitor the prisoners who are thought to be under the risk of suicide and self -harm) and the opportunity to control the welfare of the prisoners,” he said.
“In a case, the review of the CCTV on the wing where the prisoner died, determined that the personnel falsified the ACCT document and found that they did checks when they did not make checks.”
As a result, the Ombudsman suggested that the personnel who were found to falsify the records should be faced with disciplinary procedures.
Prison reform confidence, the findings are called for urgent reform as they were “shocking and unacceptable”, he said.
“The findings of the annual report of prisons and probation ombudsman are deeply disturbing and emphasizing the need for emergency reform in our prison system,” he said.
“The 35 percent increase in investigations, especially after a death between old prisoners, reminds us of the human cost of excessive crowded prisons and systemic failures.
“It is shocking and unacceptable to determine the widespread distortion of records in the monitoring of prisoners who are at risk of suicide and self -harm.
The Ministry of Justice was approached for a comment.
If you are experiencing feelings of distress or struggling to deal with, you can talk with Samaritans, safely, 116 123 (England and YG), E -POSTA jo@samaritans.orgor visit Samaritans The website to find details of the nearest branch.
If you live in the USA and if someone you or you know now needs mental health assistance, call 988 or visit or visit or visit 988lifeline.org 988 Suicide and crisis to access online chat from the life line. This is a free, hidden crisis aid line offered to everyone seven days a week, 24 hours a day. If you are in another country, you can go www.befrienders.org To find a help line near you
