Self-harm incidents increase by 200% at Welsh prison

Self-harm incidents in Welsh prisons have reached a new high with one seeing a 200% increase in 2018.

The figures from Cardiff University's Wales Governance Centre show self-harm incidents increased at HMP Usk by 200%, HMP Cardiff by 89% and HMP Swansea by 56% in 2018. The number of incidents recorded at HMP Parc declined by 4%

The Sentencing and Imprisonment in Wales report says self-harm incidents (excluding HMP Berwyn) rose by 16% in the year ending March 2019, following a record figure the previous year.

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There were a total of 3,024 self-harm incidents in Welsh prisons last year.

The Ministry of Justice said £70million has been spent to improve security and conditions in prisons.