Prisons are not safe in the way the outside world is. Assaults, self-harm and deaths in custody all happen, and the risk varies enormously between establishments and wings. But there is a system designed to protect you, and knowing how to use it matters.

The honest picture

Levels of violence and self-harm in prisons in England and Wales rose sharply through the 2010s and remain high, driven by overcrowding, staff shortages and drugs. Local and remand prisons tend to be the most volatile; open and training prisons much calmer. HM Inspectorate of Prisons publishes a report on every prison, which you or your family can read online to understand the specific place you are going to.

Staff and supervision

There should always be officers on a wing when prisoners are unlocked, and a night patrol when they are not. Cell bells (a button in every cell) call an officer; they should respond promptly, and you should use it for any emergency. Many wings have CCTV in corridors and association areas, though not all cameras work and there are none inside cells except in dedicated observation cells. Body-worn video is widely used by officers.

If you feel at risk

  • Tell an officer. If you are being threatened or bullied, or owe someone, say so. Staff can move you to another wing or cell, or open a protection process.
  • Ask to go on the vulnerable prisoner unit (VPU) or for Rule 45 protection. This is used for people convicted of sexual offences, former police officers, people with debts or gang issues, and anyone else whose safety is at risk. It is your right to ask and the prison must consider it.
  • Use the Listeners. These are fellow prisoners trained by Samaritans to listen in confidence. Any officer can arrange it, at any hour. Samaritans can also be called free from prison phones.
  • Tell the healthcare team if you feel suicidal or want to hurt yourself. The prison must open an ACCT (Assessment, Care in Custody and Teamwork) plan, which means regular checks, a care plan and someone responsible for you.
  • Safer Custody is the team in every prison responsible for preventing violence and self-harm; you or your family can contact them directly, and families can ring the prison's Safer Custody line if they are worried about you.

Drugs and debt

Most violence in modern prisons is about drugs and the debts they create. Synthetic cannabinoids ("spice") and other substances circulate widely, often through drones and contaminated mail. Staying away from them, and refusing to hold or move anything for anyone, is the single most effective thing you can do for your own safety.

Reporting assaults and staff misconduct

If you are assaulted by another prisoner, report it: it can be dealt with as a prison adjudication or referred to the police. If you are assaulted or mistreated by staff, use the complaints system (a COMP 1 form, or a confidential COMP 2 for serious matters), write to the Independent Monitoring Board, or contact the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman once the internal process is exhausted. Solicitors specialising in prison law and actions against public bodies can help; legal aid may be available.

Family and friends

Families can help from outside by staying in contact, putting money on your account so debt is not a temptation, and raising concerns with the prison's Safer Custody team or family services. The Prisoners' Families Helpline gives free advice.

Nobody can promise that prison is safe. But people who tell staff early about threats, stay away from drugs and debt, and use the support that exists come through it far more often than those who try to handle everything alone.