Howard League for Penal Reform: Figures are shocking

The Howard League for Penal Reform says figures suggesting a rise in self-harm among UK prisoners are "shocking".

The leading prison reform charity's director, Frances Crook, said the 37 per cent rise in self-harm incidents in the last five years is "far above what might be expected".

"We lock up ever increasing numbers of men, women and children whose mental health problems and addictions will never be properly treated within our flooded and failing jails," she said.

"Warehoused temporarily in prison, many individuals are then released only to reoffend and be returned to custody.

"Rotting in the chaos and squalor of overcrowded prisons simply serves to exacerbate problems and will most likely to lead to more serious and frequent reoffending on release."