HMP Leeds suicide rate 'concerning' -watchdog

There were six self-inflicted deaths at HMP Leeds in 2024, the report found

The number of suicides at HMP Leeds is still at a "concerning" level and has been made worse by a lack of funding and resources, a prisons watchdog has said.

The Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) questioned whether enough was being done to reduce the number of self-inflicted deaths at the category B men's prison.

The IMB said a lack of investment was "exacerbating an already very difficult situation caused by overcrowding and the reliance on infrastructure mainly built nearly 180 years ago".

The Ministry of Justice said it fully acknowledged the challenges at HMP Leeds and was taking steps to address the issue.

A spokesperson said: "We have taken steps to address the number of self-inflicted deaths at HMP Leeds, including improved staff training and new specialised cells which ensure constant oversight of prisoners who may be at risk."

Cramped cells

The IMB report noted there were eight deaths in custody between January and December 2024. Six were self-inflicted and two were from natural causes.

The number of deaths at the prison in 2023 was the same, although three were self-inflicted.

The report said it was "alarmed" that checks on prisoners known to be at risk of self-harm and suicide may not have been accurately logged in all cases.

It said prisoners continued to share cramped cells in which they ate, slept, washed and used the toilet, and the cells tended to be too hot in summer and too cold in winter.

It added that there were many prisoners with severe mental health problems who may not be prioritised for transfer to secure mental health facilities, because prison was perceived by the NHS to be a "safe" environment.

"On regular occasions over the course of the year it was necessary to curtail the daily regime because of staff shortages," the IMB said.

"This resulted in prisoners having less time out of their cells to associate and access work and education."

Social justice charity Nacro said cramped and overcrowded cells were "not acceptable", in particular for people with acute mental health needs.

Chief executive Campbell Robb said: "As the IMB at HMP Leeds rightly points out, prison is not - and should never be mistaken for - a safe alternative to proper mental health care.

"The staff at HMP Leeds are clearly doing what they can, but without urgent investment in both infrastructure and staffing, these efforts will always be undermined."

Despite this, the watchdog reported that there was a reduction in the number of imprisonment for public protection (IPP) prisoners in HMP Leeds.

Prisoners' good mental health and wellbeing has also been prioritised, with the introduction of "check on a mate" schemes to encourage prisoners to check in on each other, particularly on those who may be vulnerable.

Staff and prisoner relationships were observed to be generally positive, particularly in smaller units within the prison.

Leeds IMB chair John Cleland said: "HMP Leeds has one of the highest levels of self-inflicted death in the prison estate.

"Whilst the local prison leadership and staff are actively seeking to address this, we are concerned that a lack of investment is exacerbating an already very difficult situation caused by overcrowding and the reliance on infrastructure mainly built nearly 180 years ago.

"All deaths in custody are investigated by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman (PPO) who report their findings.

"They make recommendations on what steps could be taken to reduce deaths in the future. These recommendations are accepted by the prison management."

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