Self-harm incidents ‘skyrocketing’ in Scots prisons

LIb Den Liam McArthur. Pic: Toby Williams

The funding of mental health care for Scotland’s prisoners must be increased after the number of self-harm incidents “skyrocketed”, an MSP has said.

Figures show there were 762 incidents in 2018, compared to 532 in the previous year – a jump of 43 per cent. These include burns, cuts, attempted suicide, ligature, overdoses and swallowing items.

The highest number was at HMP & YOI Grampian. It recorded 175 incidents in 2018, with 138 of those categorised as “cuts”.

Of the 762 total incidents recorded across Scotland 517 were for cuts. A total of 72 incidents in Scotland were categorised under “swallows item”, 41 for “overdose” and 31 as “attempted suicide”.

The figures were published following a Freedom of Information request made by the Scottish Liberal Democrats.

The party’s justice spokesman, Liam McArthur MSP, said: “Incident numbers have been on an upward trajectory for years but last year they skyrocketed.

“The scale of self-harm in Scotland’s prisons is devastating. This must prompt serious new investment in prison mental health care.