PRISON CRISIS

That this House is concerned by recent reports regarding the rise of suicides in prisons in England and Wales over past 12 months; is alarmed that self-inflicted deaths have risen by 69 per cent in 2013-14 resulting in 88 deaths in custody - the highest level for 10 years; notes that the latest annual report by the Chief Inspector of Prisons, Nigel Hardwick, highlights the increasing pressures in the prison system caused by shortages of experienced staff and resources coupled with the growing size of the prison population; further notes that the Howard League for Penal Reform estimate that prison officer numbers are down by 41 per cent in public sector prisons since 2010; is aware that there has also been an increase of 14 per cent in the rate of assaults by male prisoners; believes that the rise in the prison population to almost full capacity has put unsustainable pressure on both staff and inmates; and calls on the Government to launch an independent enquiry into the current crisis in the prison system and to urgently commit to further staffing in all prisons in England and Wales to ensure the safety of prisoners and staff.