BBC News | In detail: Prisons in the UK, Suicide and self harm

Suicide and self harm

In 2005-6, 63 prisoners took their own lives - down from a high of 102 in 2003-4.

Male local prisons accounted for 73% of the deaths, despite having just 36% of the population.

Self harm remains a cause of concern, with more than 20,000 such incidents during the year.

More than half of these were among women, who account for 5% of prisoners.


�In detail:�Prisons in the UK

	Suicide and self harm In 2005-6, 63 prisoners took their own lives - down from a high of 102 in 2003-4. Male local prisons accounted for 73% of the deaths, despite having just 36% of the population. Self harm remains a cause of concern, with more than 20,000 such incidents during the year. More than half of these were among women, who account for 5% of prisoners.