'Chilling' number of prison deaths - including almost 50 in Lancashire - lead to reform calls

Almost 50 inmates have died in Lancashire prisons over the last decade.
By Paul Berentzen
Published 16th Jun 2020, 15:45 BST
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Three have been reported to the Blackpool and Fylde coroner since 2011, with a further 44 across the rest of the county.

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Frances Crook, chief executive of the Howard League for Penal Reform, said politics was being prioritised over safety.

Justice reform charities said the number of people dying in prison was "chilling" and called for action to tackle the problem.Justice reform charities said the number of people dying in prison was "chilling" and called for action to tackle the problem.
Justice reform charities said the number of people dying in prison was "chilling" and called for action to tackle the problem.
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“It is time to reduce the prison population and save lives,” she added.

Across England and Wales, 2,317 deaths were reported between 2011 and 2019 in all prison facilities, or within seven days of an inmate’s release from custody.

Separate Ministry of Justice figures show 59 per cent of prison deaths across England and Wales were from natural causes during this time and 31 per cent were self-inflicted.

Peter Dawson, director of the Prison Reform Trust, said: “These chilling numbers would have been unthinkable only a decade ago.

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“Government cuts have made prisons dramatically less safe and constructive places.”

The government is investing in modernising prisons to “boost rehabilitation”, a spokesman said. Plans were recently set out for a new accommodation block at HMP Kirkham.

The spokesman added that self-harm “remains a concern” and more than 25,000 staff have been trained in suicide prevention.