Report highlights alarming increase in force used on women with mental health issues at HMP Eastwood, alongside a sharp rise in self-harm incidents

In a recent watchdog report, it was revealed that prison guards at HMP Eastwood, a Gloucestershire jail, employed force over 500 times against female prisoners in the last year. This concerning figure represents a significant increase in such incidents, particularly among inmates grappling with complex mental health challenges. The Independent Monitoring Board’s findings indicate that the use of force at HMP Eastwood is “very high compared to other women’s prisons,” with incidents escalating by 30% from the previous year, marking a rise from 398 to 517 instances.

The heightened frequency of these confrontations predominantly involved prisoners with mental health issues, placing both the inmates and the staff at risk. Reports indicate that fourteen prisoners and eight staff members sustained injuries in these forceful encounters. This surge in use of force incidents raises critical questions about the adequacy of the current approach to handling women with mental health problems within the penal system, suggesting a potential need for a reevaluation of whether these individuals might receive more appropriate care within the health service sector.

Compounding the issue, the prison witnessed a dramatic 128% increase in self-harm incidents among inmates within the same timeframe, driven by a small cohort of women inflicting harm upon themselves repeatedly. Additionally, the environment at HMP Eastwood has been marred by a rise in prisoner-on-prisoner bullying and fights, attributed to debts among inmates. The report also noted two deaths in custody over the year to October 2023.

The primary reasons cited for the application of force include the need to address assault, combat fighting, and prevent self-harm, highlighting the complex challenges faced by the prison in managing safety and security. The stark figures and incidents catalogued in the report underscore a broader concern regarding the treatment and welfare of women in prison, especially those with mental health issues.

Sonya Ruparel, CEO of the charity Women in Prison, responded to the findings by emphasizing that prisons fail to offer a safe environment for women, pointing to the alarming levels of self-harm, which are currently ten times higher than those in male prisons. Ruparel’s remarks reflect a growing consensus that most women in prison, predominantly non-violent offenders serving short sentences, are unnecessarily placed in a system that exacerbates their vulnerabilities.

The report emerges amid broader discussions about sentencing practices within the UK’s judicial system. The former head of the judiciary, Lord Burnett of Maldon, expressed reservations about the trend towards longer sentences, advocating for a greater emphasis on community sentences. These comments align with concerns over the efficacy and societal benefits of prolonged incarceration, prompting a reevaluation of sentencing policies to alleviate overcrowding in prisons and better address the needs of vulnerable populations within the criminal justice system.