Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, with reference to the by HM Prison and Probation Service entitled: Self-harm by adult men in prison: A rapid evidence assessment, published in September 2018, whether he plans to undertake further research to explore the potential link between self-harm and violence or aggression in male prisoners as recommended in that report.

The link between self-harm and violence is well established and informs our existing policy. For instance, the Assessment, Care in Custody and Teamwork (ACCT) case management process for prisoners at risk of self-harm or suicide already includes an enhanced case management process for use where prisoners pose a risk of harm to others, as well as to themselves.

We continue to develop our work with this link in mind. The Prison Safety Programme includes a range of measures designed to address both violence and suicide and self-harm in our prisons. A study of individuals engaged in ‘dual harm’ (both to themselves and to others) is taking place in a number of prisons, and the early findings have been used to inform the programme.