Prison criticised over high suicide rate and drugs

HMP Leeds has been told to take "immediate action" to address the concerns raised

HMP Leeds has the highest rate of prisoner suicide of all UK jails, a report by inspectors has found.

Substance misuse and overcrowding were also highlighted as issues at the prison, which is located in Armley.

HM Inspectorate of Prisons, which visited the facility in July, said support for new arrivals was "not good enough" and staffing across mental health services was "stretched". The prison, which accommodates more than 1,000 people serving time, has been told to take "immediate action" to address the concerns raised.

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) said it was "taking urgent action" to address the number of suicides at HMP Leeds.

In its report, inspectors said there had been 16 suicides at the prison since its last examination, which took place in 2022.

It added that there were "unacceptable delays in transfers to hospital under the Mental Health Act" and there was "insufficient day-to-day support for those at risk of self-harm continued to place vulnerable prisoners at risk".

Overcrowding and substance misuse are among the issues to have been highlighted

It also said that 78% of prisoners "lived in overcrowded cells designed for one" and that drugs were "too readily available".

Nearly one in five inmates said they had developed a drug or alcohol problem while in prison, the report said.

However, the jail's governor was praised for having a "clear vision" for the prison's future and that they was working hard to change its culture.

Inspectors also commended an initiative which brought school-aged children to visit their inmate fathers in the early evening as an example of positive practice.

Chief inspector of prisons Charlie Taylor said: "Leeds has to cope with a high churn of prisoners with complex and challenging needs.

"Leaders must make sure that the needs of the most vulnerable prisoners are placed at the heart of this work to end the unacceptable numbers of suicides at the prison."

The social justice charity Nacro described the findings as "deeply troubling".

Interim chief executive Helen Dyson said: "Prisons should be places of rehabilitation, preparing people for release.

"If we are serious about creating safer communities and reducing reoffending, we must better support people both inside and outside of prison."

An MOJ spokesperson said: "This concerning report underlines the crisis this government has inherited in our prisons.

"We are already taking urgent action to address the number of self-inflicted deaths at HMP Leeds, including improved staff training, and creating new specialised cells which ensure constant oversight of prisoners who may be at risk."

Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.